The impact of the pandemic in changing travelling patterns has been notable, with one clear example being the growth of leisure cycling and cycling tourism. Data on the use of EuroVelo routes, provided by Eco-Counter, indicates that there has been a 12% increase on weekends during the first eight months of this year compared to the same period in 2019.

Encouragingly, public authorities appear to have taken note. There have already been significant investments in cycling infrastructure and the promotion of cycling tourism over the past two years. These types of measures also featured prominently in many of the Recovery and Resilience Plans prepared by EU Member States and are therefore likely to receive significant support over the coming years.

Reimagining the way we travel is essential to shift our future to one that is greener, healthier and more inclusive. At the European Cyclists’ Federation (ECF), we are convinced of the positive impact cycling tourism can have in multiple ways, from the improved health of individual cycle tourists to the reduced impact on the natural environment.

Changing the way we travel brings us closer to achieving UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This can be done through rethinking tourism, developing sustainable mobility patterns and encouraging slow forms of travel that leave a positive impact on local communities. Travelling by bike is a key activity for building the tourism of the future, tourism that cares for the communities and territories and respects the limits of the planet.

But what can we do to guarantee the continuing growth of cycling tourism? How might we use the momentum to catalyse the contribution of cycling to changing the tourism sector?

To support the cycling tourism sector and bring together the many stakeholders working in the field, ECF has been organising the EuroVelo & Cycling Tourism Conference every other year since 2012 to share knowledge, highlight good practices and encourage further development of the EuroVelo network and cycling tourism more generally across Europe.

It is the leading cycling tourism event held in Europe and is promoted by ECF together with the host city. As part of our #MoreCyclingTourism campaign, the EuroVelo & Cycling Tourism Conference is a key space to explore the role of cycling in the future of tourism.

A conference not to be missed for the cycling and tourism sectors

The EuroVelo & Cycling Tourism Conference does not just attract one type of professional but brings together all those who are involved in developing cycle route networks and the cycling tourism sector, including accommodation providers, public transport companies, tour operators, universities and academia, tourism officials, public authorities and user groups.

A rich programme with over twenty-five different speakers from around Europe will cover a wide range of different projects, trends and good practices. The thread binding them all together is the increasingly important role played by cycling tourism in improving our societies.

Join us for engaging sessions, lots of networking opportunities and inspiring technical visits!

To offer just a taste of what is in store, the opening plenary considers the contribution cycling tourism can make to coping with global challenges and how the sector can assist with achieving SDGs. ECF President Henk Swarttouw, will moderate this session and will be joined by the following guest speakers: Director of Sustainable Development at UNWTO Dirk Glaesser, Head of the Physical Activity Unit of Department of Health Promotion at WHO Fiona Bull, President of the World Cycling Alliance Raluca Fiser and General Director of Tourism for the Catalan Government Marta Domènech.

In the second plenary, we will focus on the resilience capacity of cycling tourism destinations. This will include contributions from the City of Bologna (Italy), the Region of Limburg (Belgium) and the Catalan Railway Company (FGC) in a session moderated by EuroVelo Director Ed Lancaster. The day will finish with a lively, interactive plenary session led by tourism expert Nagore Espinosa on “The future of tourism.”

Parallel sessions

On 6 October, six parallel sessions will complete the programme in two blocks, one in the morning and one in the afternoon. The parallel sessions bring together selected abstracts presented under the following titles:

“Healthy and sustainable cycling tourism” (11:30 CEST)
Active, healthy and sustainable tourism is no longer a niche trend.  It is increasingly becoming a popular part of the tourism sector. Those destinations that are developing cycling tourism can benefit from a year-round touristic product that can appeal to wide target audiences while protecting and enhancing their unique national and cultural heritage.

Find out more about the speakers here.

“The development of the EuroVelo network in Southern and Eastern Europe” (11:30 CEST)
This session will focus on the expansion of the EuroVelo network in the southern and eastern parts of the continent, where cycling (tourism) is still mostly in its infancy and those working in realising cycle route networks often experience common challenges (as well as opportunities).

Find out more about the speakers here.

“Promotion and marketing of cycling tourism” (11:30 CEST)
With more cycling tourism products coming onto the market, being able to stand out from the crowd is becoming increasingly important.  In this session, we will look at some of the products that destinations are developing to attract visitors, consider the latest communication tools that are being used to market them and explain how to identify target markets and what they want.

Find out more about the speakers here.

“Discovering cycling destinations” (14:00 CEST)
Seeking inspiration for your next cycling adventure? Then look no further than this session, which will bring together some exciting cycling destinations. Some have been around for many years and are reinventing themselves for new audiences, while others are “new kids on the block!” Receive insights into how they have been developed, how they are currently managed and their plans for the future.

Find out more about the speakers here

“Infrastructure, innovation and digitalisation” (14:00 CEST)
This session brings together a range of different case studies that emphasise the importance of innovation in cycle route development. Whether it be in terms of the latest forms of monitoring of users, new wayfinding methods or introducing gamification. The future is here! 

Find out more about the speakers here

“Economic recovery and quality employment” (14:00 CEST)
It is estimated that cycling tourism brings in over €44 billion to the European economy every year. In this session, we will look at how destinations, service providers, the cycling industry and other businesses can benefit from the growing potential of the sector, whilst ensuring that local communities are not left out of the picture.  

Find out more about the speakers here

Register for tickets and virtual attendance here