The Green Road Award 2024 was presented today in Milan, the Italian Oscar of Cycle Tourism which every year rewards the most beautiful green routes in Italy in the Regions which promote holidays on two wheels with services aimed at slow tourism.
Applications close on 10 May and regions can propose up to two greenways.
The Oscar award ceremony, now in its 9th edition, is scheduled for Saturday 1st June between Lucca and Viareggio.
"Today, cycling tourism in Italy can no longer be considered a niche phenomenon, and this also happens thanks to our initiative" says Ludovica Casellati, president of the jury and creator of the award.
According to the Report Traveling with the bike 2023 (Isnart-Legambiente) between "pure" cycle tourists and bicycle tourists, it is estimated that in 2022 there were over 33 million presences in Italy, with an economic impact of more than 4 billion euros and a constant increase in turnover of specialized Italian tour operators.
It emerges from the survey "What cycle tourist are you?", by Fiab, University of Insubria, Active Italy, Ciab, that 71% of regular cycle tourists reach their destinations mainly using the train, which is also used by 64% to travel between different holiday locations , while 88% of the sample believes the possibility of loading bicycles on trains and buses is very important.
Again from the same survey it appears that regular cycle tourists also cycle in autumn and winter (51% and 19% respectively): around 80% of them prefer extra-urban places (hills, countryside, along rivers), but a good 68% look for the pleasure of a holiday on two wheels even in cities and urban areas.
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