Kim, BonaYang, XiaotaoSantos Solla, Xosé Manuel2026-03-232026-03-232025-03-03Kim, B., Yang, X., & Santos, X. M. (2025). What do foot pilgrims appreciate? Symmetric and asymmetric effects of pilgrim hostel attributes on satisfaction along the Camino de Santiago. Journal of Travel & Tourism Marketing, 42(3), 321–339. https://doi.org/10.1080/10548408.2025.2470975https://hdl.handle.net/10347/46461This is an Accepted Manuscript of an article published by Taylor & Francis in Journal of Travel and Tourism Marketing on 3 Mar 2025, available at: https://doi.org/10.1080/10548408.2025.2470975Where to stay overnight during a long, hard trek is a major concern among foot pilgrims. Despite growth in accommodation options to suit visitors and historical traditions, no studies appear to have focussed on pilgrim hostels. Pilgrims’ accommodation-related needs and opinions remain unknown. This study specifically identifies pilgrim hostel attributes and examines pilgrims’ perceptions of the attributes using importance – performance analysis and asymmetric impact-performance analysis. Cluster analysis revealed two distinct pilgrim segments. With 377 respondents, this pioneering investigation of pilgrim hostels along the Camino provides stakeholders with evidence-based recommendations to fulfill pilgrims’ needs through the management of contemporary pilgrim hostels.engAttribution-NonCommercial 4.0 Internationalhttp://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/Pilgrim hostel attributesImportance–performance analysis (IPA)Asymmetric impact-performance analysis (AIPA)Pilgrim segmentsAlbergueCamino de SantiagoSpainWell-beingWalking travelSpiritual motivationjournal article10.1080/10548408.2025.24709751540-7306open access