The Torreciudad Sanctuary generates an annual economic impact of 97 million euros in the province of Huesca and Aragon. This is confirmed by a study carried out by the Chamber of Commerce of Huesca, commissioned by the Torreciudad Board of Trustees Association to evaluate the significant socio-economic impact of the Sanctuary. On the verge of its 50th anniversary, the report reveals how this Sanctuary of the Marian Route, one of the most visited places in Aragon, is not only a reference in religious tourism, but despite being in deficit it acts as a motor of economic, tourist and territorial development for its surroundings.
The study sought to estimate the economic impact generated by its visitors and the direct activity of the Sanctuary, and it also assessed other tourist and territorial effects. Among the conclusions, it is proposed to strengthen the joint promotion of other heritage resources in the autonomous community.
To assess the economic impact, a survey of visitors to the Sanctuary was used, in which 3,382 responses were obtained, which gives the study high reliability. In addition, the input-output framework methodology of the Aragonese regional economy was used, which allows the impacts derived from a first direct shock of visitor spending to be estimated.
Direct Impact
Firstly, a direct impact of 58.2 million euros was assessed, based on the spending on different services of the average annual visitors – estimated as a starting point for the study at 180,900 visitors – and, to a lesser extent, on the activity of the Torreciudad Board of Trustees Association. It is worth noting that 82% of visitors stay overnight in the area and an average stay of 4.4 days is estimated. In addition, there is a subsequent impact of visitors, due to the motivation observed in the responses, by repeating other trips (different from the trip to Torreciudad) in the province.
Indirect and Induced Impacts
As a result of this direct impact, a chain of economic flows is created – indirect and induced impact – which translate into purchases from suppliers and wage income generated in the economic activities that have been the object of this direct impact. The indirect impact has been calculated at 28.8 million euros, while the induced impact amounts to 10.3 million.
In this analysis, a counterfactual analysis has also been developed, assessing the assumption of the non-existence of Torreciudad and its effect on the area. It is estimated that, given the centrality of Torreciudad as the main reason for the trip, around 150,000 visitors would be put at risk based on the 180,900 average starting visitors analysed, and, therefore, a significant part of this economic impact.
In addition to the visitor survey, interviews have also been carried out with members of the Torreciudad Board of Trustees Association and an open survey of nearby interest groups (regions, town councils, business associations, etc.). This additional information has served to delve deeper into other territorial, tourist or cultural impacts, with a more qualitative character.
In this area, 14 impacts and externalities motivated by the presence of the Torreciudad Sanctuary have been identified and analysed, among which the best location and positioning on the map of the province of Huesca stand out thanks to the presence of Torreciudad, and its development as its own tourist resource and its effect on the provincial territory. Based on the visits received, Torreciudad acts as a territorial tourist promoter.
Collaborative Potentials
As an element for future growth, collaborative and development potentials have been detected in which Torreciudad can be a key player. In these lines of promotion, potential collaborations are observed such as the relationship with the receptive travel agencies in the territory, the incorporation into the regional tourism sustainability plans, the promotion of walking and cycling routes, and the most direct synergies with the nearby local heritage.
Other growth opportunities refer to the Marian Route, the promotion of cross-border itineraries through the Camino de Santiago in Ribagorza, as well as actions in countries of origin through the network of contacts itself, and the promotion of international pilgrimages.
Thus, we can establish that the presence of Torreciudad generates a very positive annual impact in the area of economic flows spread throughout the Aragonese territory (97 million euros) and positive externalities in the tourism and territorial plane, placing the province of Huesca and Aragon in Spain and in the world, with highly loyal pilgrims-visitors, but with high potential for growth in quantity and in the development of complementary tourist activities.
Torreciudad has developed its role as a tourist-cultural driving force with innovative projects and initiatives, and in this line the possibility of developing new tourist products and other collaborative projects for a better interlock with the actors of territorial development in the province of Huesca and its regions is detected.
