Spoiling the Camino

[Jilek, Glenn]

I have learned from this site that the number of people on the Camino has been increasing at a great rate over the last decade or so, and is projected to increase at an even faster rate.  On one hand I see this as a positive sign of an increase in awareness of directly experiencing something very special, something I would call spiritual.  On the other hand, I get indications from those who have recently walked the Camino, that the great numbers may be having a detrimental effect on the social and natural environment in this area.  Even just a small percentage of the projected large (Tens of Thousands) number of people who are inconsiderate, could do a lot of damage to the landscape and to the relationship of the people who live along the Camino with the pilgrims.

Am I in just an unusually dark mood, or do others share this concern?  It seems that the Camino experience could even be destroyed because of gross over/misuse of it.  What can be done to prevent this?

Glenn