European Tourism Policy and central

EuroVelo coordination

EuropeanTourismStakeholderConferenceMeeting

The annual European Tourism Stakeholder Conference was held in Budapest, Hungary on 12th – 13th May 2011. The conference attracted over 200 participants, including some of the main figures in the European tourism sector, with the keynote speech being given by Mr Antonio Tajani, Vice-President of the European Commission. The ECF was represented by EuroVelo Manager, Adam Bodor, whilst Lukas Stadtherr of SchweizMobil (the Swiss National EuroVelo Coordination Centre) gave an entertaining presentation on ‘A possible way of awareness raising about sustainable tourism products that stimulate responsible activity’, based on the success of the Swiss cycle network. Mr Stadtherr spoke about the economic potential of cycle tourism and made reference to the potential opportunities offered by developing the EuroVelo network.

Lukas Stadtherr’s presentation slides can be viewed here: http://www.ecf.com/477_1

ECFVicePresidentjoinstheGokovaBicycleTourinSouth

WestTurkey

In May 2011, ECF vice president, Frans van Schoot, was invited by the Muğla Cycling Association and the Turkish Tourist Office to join the Gökova Bisiklet Turu / Gokova Bicycle Tour in South West Turkey. Before the ride began, a short symposium was organised with presentations from Mr van Schoot – on the ECF and EuroVelo – and Eric Schuijt, Director of Vakantie Fietser (the specialist cycle holidays shop), who discussed the needs and expectations of cycle tourists. The Mayor of Muğla, Dr Osman Gürün, and the Governor, Mr Fatih Şahin, also gave speeches, with both showing great interest in EuroVelo and the possibility of extending the EuroVelo network into their region. During the cycle tour itself, representatives of some of the cities and towns along the route (e.g. Ula, Ören, Mumcular, Bordum and Marmaris) also indicated that they see EuroVelo as a good opportunity for developing cycle tourism in the region. The well-organised 275 km tour, was split into five stages around the beautiful Gulf of Godova. There were 150 participants, including riders from Greece, Belarus and the UK. On his return, Mr van Schoot said that: “It was for me, a great experience to climb from sea level up to 500- 600 meters in these surroundings, full with friendly people.” ECF promised to keep in contact with the organisers of this event, Adnan Cangir, Bülent Savran and Feridun Ekmekci from the Mügla Cycling Association, and to consider opportunities for extending the EuroVelo network into this part of Turkey. For more information about the tour click on this link: www.muglabisiklet.org

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ECF EuroVelo

Newsletter 2011/4

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National EuroVelo Co-ordination

EcotopiaBiketour2011incorporatesEuroVeloroutes

inItaly

The Ecotopia Biketour 2011 will be in Italy from the 26th July until the 31st August. The main theme of the tour is sustainable agriculture and it will include visits to ecofarms, natural reservations, communes with ecofriendly communities, as well as meeting active cycling groups along the route. Nourishment will be provided by a healthy vegetarian/vegan menu made from tasty Mediterranean fare. Starting in Florence, the tour will include sections of EuroVelo 7 (The Sun Route) and EuroVelo 5 (Via Romea Francigena) on its route south through Italy. By the time it ends in Pippio, 11,000-12,000 kms later, the participants will be able to compose an informed picture about sustainable agriculture and living patterns within the wonderful Italian landscape. To find out more please contact Ecotopia Bike Tour directly through their website: http://www.ecotopiabiketour.net/

SwissPartnerreleaselatestcyclingfigures

SchweizMobil has announced that around 4.2 million day trips and 210,000 multi-day trips were made on the Swiss national cycle route network in 2010. If all the bicycle rides on the national route network were added together it would equate to a 230 million km! Overall, it is estimated that day visitors and multi-day travellers contributed annual sales of approximately CHF 133 million (2009: CHF 150 million) to the Swiss economy. Around half of this was spent on food, whilst nearly one quarter went towards accommodation expenses. The data was collected on 18 automatic cycle-counting systems, supplemented by periodic surveys. Detailed information on the results of 2010 and the methodology are downloadable via www.schweizmobil.org

ECF EuroVelo

Newsletter 2011/4

Route Development

TheRiversRoute(EuroVelo6)

We have been informed about a good example of how to use new social media for raising awareness and promoting long distance cycle routes. The lead partners of EuroVelo 6 have launched a game on Facebook to publicise both their new Facebook page and the route of the EuroVelo 6. The game is available at these addresses: In French: http://apps.facebook.com/jeu-eurovelo In English: http://apps.facebook.com/game-eurovelo and In German: http://apps.facebook.com/spiel-eurovelo In the next newsletter we will include a special section looking at the ways some of our Members are incorporating the latest technology into their work. We would love to hear from you if you are aware of any good examples.

ThePilgrimsRoute(EuroVelo3)

Foreningen Frie Fugle is working for the municipality of Viborg on the historical route Hærvejen. This ancient trackway starts close to Viborg and runs all the way to Hamburg, via Flensburg. This road was originally a trade route with the most important commodity being livestock, especially oxen (hence its German name Ochsenweg: the Oxen Way), but also amber, hides, metal, glass and weapons. EV3 actually uses part of Hærvejen but at Viborg it will relocated to pass the railway station and through the center of the city. The intention is that it will be signed with EuroVelo signs (see image). Some other minor changes to the route are also in the pipeline.

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ECF EuroVelo

Newsletter 2011/4

Route Development

TheIronCurtainTrail(EV13)

On May 14th 2011, a foundation stone laying ceremony took place in the Gdańsk Shipyard for the new European Solidarity Centre (ESC). The ceremony was attended by state and Gdańsk municipality officials. The ESC is a multifunctional institution documenting freedom movements in the modern history of Poland and Europe. It combines scientific, cultural and educational activities with a modern museum and archive. To celebrate the start of the building work, PSWE inspired the ESC to organise a cycling tour of the historical sites of the Gdańsk Shipyard. The tour was a rare occasion to get acquainted with the unique, industrial spaces of the shipyard while listening to stories about the famous strike of 1980, which initiated the fall of communism in Central and Eastern Europe. Participants were guided by the one of the strike leaders, Mr. Jerzy Borowczak, and accompanied by ECF Vice-Priesdent, Mr Piotr Kuropatwinski, together with PSWE staff. The Gdańsk Shipyard is one of the most important historical sites on the Iron Curtain Trail (EV13). Continuing collaboration between the European Solidarity Centre and PSWE will help to make it a ‘must-see’ attraction for every cyclist visiting Pomerania, Poland.

Contact

If you have relevant news for upcoming EuroVelo newsletters, please contact the Euro Velo Manager, Adam Bodor. (E-mail: a.bodor@ecf.com)

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ECF EuroVelo General Newsletter 2011/2

Responsible editor

Adam Bodor EuroVelo Manager a.bodor@ecf.com

European Cyclists' Federation asbl European Cyclists' Federation asbl European Cyclists' Federation asbl European Cyclists' Federation asbl

www.ecf.com

ECF EuroVelo

Newsletter 2011/4

ECF EuroVelo General Newsletter 2011/4

Responsible editor

Adam Bodor EuroVelo Manager a.bodor@ecf.com

European Cyclists' Federation asbl European Cyclists' Federation asbl European Cyclists' Federation asbl European Cyclists' Federation asbl