The development of Cycling Tourism in Rethymnon was the focus of cooperation of the Deputy Municipal Councilor for Tourism Mr. Konstantinos Gasparakis, with local professionals active in the specific sector.
Meeting for the Development of Cycling Tourism in Rethymnon
The development of Cycling Tourism in Rethymnon was the focus of cooperation of the Deputy Municipal Councilor for Tourism Mr. Konstantinos Gasparakis, with local professionals active in the specific sector.
At the working meeting, Mr. Gasparakis informed the participants about the constant orientation of the Tourism Department of the Municipality in consolidating alternative forms of tourism compatible with the principles of Sustainable Tourism Development.
As he pointed out, for Rethymnon as well as for our island, the rational utilization of its comparative advantages for the balanced development of tourism, which is the driving force of economic activity on the entire island, is a priority. Evaluating the new environmental data due to climate change, the needs of visitors, the modern infrastructure, the cultural heritage of the place, the culture of its people and the reserves of natural resources of Rethymno and Crete, it is necessary, emphasized Mr. Gasparakis, to let’s all draw up together, depending on each one’s field of expertise, a sustainable plan to promote Cycling Tourism.
As is already known, the Municipality of Rethymno started a decade ago, the systematic effort to promote Rethymno as a Bicycle Friendly travel destination. In fact, it is recalled that in February 2021 it was certified by NATtour and the Hellenic Society for the Protection of Nature as a place that meets the basic conditions to meet the requirements of visitors who will choose it as an ideal destination for the use of bicycles, either for leisure purposes or as part of their sports preparation (Bike Friendly Destination).
Rethymno has numerous quality infrastructures, healthy specialized tourist businesses with specialized professionals, a dense well-maintained road network that connects the Settlements both with each other and with the urban center and routes of unparalleled natural beauty and diversity, conditions that guarantee the satisfaction of even the most demanding cyclist.
The benefits for the local society and economy are many:
– Attracting potentially new visitors with basically a very good financial profile.
– Enhancement of the off-peak season and the possibility of extending the tourist season, as cyclists prefer the mild temperatures we have on the island in autumn, spring and even winter.
– Diffusion of the number of visitors and decongestion of the center towards the hinterland with the use of conventional or electric bicycles.
The meeting also recognized the strong, international interest in the ecological footprint of each traveler at their destination. The need to provide incentives and opportunities for visitors to use soft means of transport, movement, sports and entertainment such as bicycles was confirmed once again. This feature is now a strong destination selection criterion for the traveler.
All participants agreed on the immediate need for a joint effort to highlight Rethymno as a cycling destination and as Mr. Gasparakis pointed out, in this direction it is necessary to draw up the strategy and submit proposals that will lead us to achieve the goal. In fact, this issue will be included in the agenda of the next Meeting of the Tourism Development and Promotion Committee, which will take place on August 1.
In addition to the Authorized Tourism Advisor of the Municipality of Rethymno, the meeting was attended by Mrs. Katerina Vogiatzi from the Olympic Bike – Kreta Bike company, Mr. Tasos Anastasakis from the “Samiotis Bikes” store, Mr. Galanis Nikos from the “To Podilato” store , Mr. Konstantinos Perpyrakis from the Bik-e store, Mr. Vangelis Petroulakis, Bike master at Ibiscos Garden Bike Center and Mr. Stelios Troullinos from the “eBikes” store. The meeting took place at the Ibiscos Garden hotel, which is certified with the Bike Friendly mark and where a model bicycle station operates.
At the end of it, it was agreed by the participants to maintain continuous communication and cooperation so that the achievement of the goal is a product of partnership and consensus for the benefit of Rethymnon.
