EuroVelo & Cycling Tourism Conference 2021 Programme

5 – 7 October 2021

The 2021 EuroVelo Conference programme will include presentations and communications based around the following themes:

THEME 1 – HEALTH AND CYCLING TOURISM

Active, healthy, sustainable tourism is no longer a trend and has become a reality. In the present-day context, tourists demand safe, closer-to-home destinations, and in this respect those regions specialized in cycling tourism have a great opportunity to combat depopulation in rural areas, promote an all-season tourist offer, and develop proposals for sustainable tourism in urban settings. These are just some of the advantages associated with cycling tourism.

THEME 2 – INFRASTRUCTURES, RESEARCH AND INNOVATION

The extension and consolidation of the EuroVelo network requires the design and implementation of a series of infrastructures. With the goal of generating an internationally recognised cycling tourism experience, these infrastructures must guarantee optimal standards of quality and efficient management and maintenance. Route managers, companies and users obtain great benefit from innovative solutions and new technological developments, which contribute to the continuous improvement of EuroVelo destinations.

THEME 3 – ECONOMIC RECOVERY, EMPLOYMENT AND COMMUNICATION

Specializing in cycling tourism provides an opportunity for many regions, contributing to a better seasonal distribution of tourism and the production of quality employment. The training and coordination of all the agents involved in the value chain of the sector will play a key role, as well as the different communication, promotional and marketing campaigns aimed at both traditional and emerging markets.

5th October 2021

16:00 - 18:00

Registration

20:00

EuroVelo Conference Welcome Drinks

Place: Reial Drassanes de Barcelona, Av. de les Drassanes, 1, 08001 Barcelona

6th October 2021

08:00

Registration

09:30

Opening: "Welcome to Barcelona: Destination EuroVelo 2021!"

Auditorio

Jill Warren, CEO of the European Cyclists’ Federation

Representative of the Department of the Vice-Presidency and of Digital Policies and Territory

Marta Domènech, Director general for Tourism of the Government of Catalonia

Representative of the Diputació de Barcelona

10:00

Plenary session 1: The contribution made by cycling tourism in confronting the challenges faced by society

Auditorio

Dirk Glaesser, Director of Sustainable Development of Tourism at the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO)

Fiona Bull, Head of Unit, Physical Activity. Department of Health Promotion at World Health Organization.

Raluca Fiser, President of the World Cycling Alliance

Marta Domènech, Director general for Tourism of the Government of Catalonia

11:00

COFFEE BREAK + NETWORKING

11:30

Parallel session 1:

Thematic axis 1: Healthy and sustainable cycling experiences

Thematic axis 2: EuroVelo network in Southern and Eastern Europe – In colaboration with Agència Catalana de Turisme, Comunitat Valenciana, Costa Cálida – Región de Múrcia and Junta de Andalucía

Thematic axis 3: Promotion and marketing of cycling tourism