We continue our mini-interview series with the Velo-city 2019 Keynote Speakers! #VC19Keynote #MeetTheSpeakers #CyclingForTheAges

Orla Carroll is Director of Product Development at Fáilte Ireland. She joined Fáilte Ireland in 2008 after working for over 10 years in the Telecommunications Industry.

As Director of Product Development, Orla has responsibility for leading the development and implementation of strategies which support the sustainable development of tourism to Ireland. Orla has responsibility for the development and implementation of Irelands Tourism Development Investment strategy which strives to stimulate and support innovation in the development of tourism experiences in Ireland that will deliver greater regional and seasonal spread of tourism, while maintaining the competitiveness we already have in mature destinations.
Throughout her career she has led the development and implementation of aggressive product and experience development strategies to achieve growth.

What does ‘Cycling for the Ages’ mean to you?

Cycling should be accessible for all. In regards to development, cycling trails and the provision of equipment should consider all ages and level of accessibility. We should be encouraging young and old, men, women, and children to all cycle more often. As a tourism agency we would love to be promoting Ireland as a cycling destination that caters for all abilities. Cycling provides visitors with a great opportunity to not only get around our wonderful cities, full of culture and heritage, but also to access our most amazing landscape and to truly feel free. Economically, environmentally and socially sustainable travel is important for all ages.

How do you link this theme to cycling tourism?

As an island nation, the vast majority of visitors to Ireland come to the country by air. We need a public transport system to assist them to see the wonderful experiences our country has to offer. What better mode of transport than by bicycle. It not only satisfies the growing interest in the environment but enables visitors to get close and active in nature as well as a more enjoyable journey to many visitor attraction. Ireland can cater for the cycling enthusiast but the vast majority of visitors are not looking to cycle 120km a day. Tailored and specifically developed cycle routes and infrastructure offer these visitors an experience that they can partake it and will leave them having a great experience of economically, environmentally and socially sustainable travel.

What do you think of the EuroVelo initiative of creating a European network of cycling routes?

I think it is a good idea. The routes can be used by long-distance cycle tourists, as well as by day visitors to an area (plus local people making daily journeys). It helps to promote cycling and provides visitors with something to aspire to i.e. complete one/all of the long distance route. It also promotes collaboration between destinations which is a great thing.

How will the city of the future look like taking into consideration the gaps in the developing and developed worlds?

Currently in a lot of cities the car is king, in the city of the future this will have changed and cycling and the pedestrian are king. Cycling as a mode of transport is a key component of public transport and the citizen of the city are offered travel solution that are economically, environmentally and socially sustainable.

What do you expect from Velo-city 2019?

There is a vision for what the cycling city of 2030 will be, through this conference we need to ground this and identify what needs to be done to achieve this vision.

Orla Carroll is a speaker in the fifth plenary session of Velo-city 2019 Dublin, entitled “Cycle Tourism” to take place on Thursday, June 27th 2019 at 17.00-18.00.
For more information on the Velo-city Programme, Exhibition and Registration go to: https://www.velo-city2019.com 
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