A workshop was held in Dubrovnik last week as part of the EU Mediterranean cycle route project. The Mediterranean cycle route for sustainable coastal tourism, or MedCycleTour, runs through 11 countries, from Cadiz in Spain, via France, Italy and Croatia to Greece and Cyprus. It is considered one of the routes with the largest tourism potential. All seven Croatian coastal counties are included in the project, as the Mediterranean cycle route will run the entire length of the Croatian Adriatic coast. The value of the project is 2.58 million euros, of which 278,000 is intended for Croatia.
The purpose of the project is to encourage through cycling the development of sustainable coastal and maritime transport on the Mediterranean.
A 2012 European Parliament study shows that annual revenue from cycling tourism in the European Union is 44 billion euros. By comparison, revenue from cruise tourism is 39 billion euros.
The coordinator of the EuroVelo project, Davorin Belamaric of the Cyclists' Union, said that the route had been examined in detail, but was yet to be determined.
Lidija Miscin of the Croatian Tourist Board, a Croatian partner in the project, said that although the European Cyclists' Federation insists on one route, all important destinations near the route would be included in planning and alternative routes to attractive tourism sites would be offered.
"We will design brochures and a website giving a clear description of all turn-offs from the route, and we will also include transport companies and ferry services. We want to provide a wide range of interesting information so that cyclists can decide for themselves what they want to see," she said.
Ranko Milic of the CEDRA company, another Croatian partner in the project, said that the cycling infrastructure would be intended not only for tourists but for all people.
"Croatia has a fantastic climate for year-round tourism. Cycling tourism would help reduce the seasonality of tourism and would attract tourists to other destinations," he said.
The MedCycleTour project was launched in February 2017 and lasts until February 2020.
After workshops with key local stakeholders, a Mediterranean Cycle Route development strategy will be prepared and the route marked.
(Hina/FaH)
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