Cycling tourism as one of the fastest growing selective forms of tourism in the focus of the conference Velo-city 2022

Photo: Velo-city

Author  HrTurizam.hr

18. June 2022.

From 14 to 17 June, Ljubljana hosted over 1.400 participants from 60 countries, world representatives of cities, companies and scientists at the Velo-city conference, world cycling gathering gathered under this year's Mr.main topic "Cycling the change"

The conference is organized every year by the European Cycling Federation, and this year's organization was joined by the hosts from the City of Ljubljana, Gospodarsko razstavišče doo and Dekon. 

He had a prominent place, of course cycling tourism as one of the fastest growing selective forms of tourism, which has an important impact on the environment, but also on the economy because cyclists in the regions stay longer and spend up to 40% more than motorized tourists.

The conference aims to share knowledge and network representatives of cities, businesses, scientists and decision-makers to shape the future of cycling and urban mobility. During the four days, they talked about active mobility and safety in traffic, tactical urbanism, changes in behavior and thinking, political adjustments and other current and relevant topics.

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Photo: Velo-city

The growing economic benefits of cycling tourism were discussed on June 16 at the central morning panel with Alessandro Priante, UNWTO Director for Europe, Petrom Stušek, Director of the Tourist Board of the City of Ljubljana, Henk Swarttow, President of the European Cycling Federation, Blaž Kurnik, from the European Environment Agency, Alex Crevar, journalist, editor and consultant for responsible tourism, Camille Thome, CEO Velo & Territories te Thomas Larsen Schmidt, President of the European Branch of the International MTB Association.

Henk Swarttow he emphasized that with the development of cycling tourism we are improving the pre-season and post-season because such weather is best for cyclists. This is exactly the topic we have been talking about in Croatia for years.

Alex Crevar, whose papers we read in the New York Times, National Geographic and others, concluded: “Cycling itself is sustainable and great for the environment, and as a journalist, it’s an honest and sustainable way to write. Small places are just as important as big ones and it is almost impossible to be a mass tourist as a cyclist. Cycling is not only about being right about our environment, but also about the local people who share the story and who need to be taught how to tell it."

Croatia had its strong representative at Velo-city, Bikademy, a unique cycling tourism product from Croatia. 

Kresimir herceg owner of the bikademy a
Krešimir Heceg, owner Bikademy

Bikademy, a unique cycling tourism product from Croatia, was presented at the panel on innovations in cycling tourism. Krešimir Heceg, owner Bikademy He pointed out that cycling tourism is closely related to cultural tourism and that cycling tourists are actually looking forward to cultural experiences and exploring new places. “The bike is slow enough to enjoy what surrounds us, but also fast enough to cover longer distances. With Bikademy, we encourage tourists and the local community to cycle, explore well-known locations and sights, but also discover lesser-known ones. And for that we reward them.", Added Herceg.

Other Croatian experts also participated and gave their perspective: Leonid Ljubotina from the Faculty of Transport and Traffic Sciences, Tena Saric Rukavina from the Cyclists' Union, Zoran Klaric from the Institute of Tourism and others.

Numerous other social events were organized as part of the conference, such as the bicycle parade, which was attended by over 2000 locals and conference participants. Participants also cycled as part of various cultural tours that provided thematic access to the city’s attractions.

The continuation of the Velo-city conference is expected in Leipzig from June 27 to 30 next year.

Author  HrTurizam.hr

18. June 2022.