The Memorandum of Cooperation between the Thessaly Region and "NATTOUR" was signed.
Thessaly becomes the first “Bike Friendly” region in the country
The Memorandum of Cooperation between the Thessaly Region and "NATTOUR" was signed.
Agorastos: “Thessaly is included among Greece’s cycling destinations”
Thessaly is the first “Bike Friendly” region in the country following the Memorandum of Cooperation signed by the Regional Governor of Thessaly, Kostas Agorastos, and the non-profit organization “NATTOUR.” The “Bike Friendly” initiatives, under the auspices of the Ministry of Tourism, position the Thessaly Region as a cycling destination in Greece and promote the use of bicycles as a “means of sustainable development and selected transportation for visitors and tourists.” In a press conference held immediately after the signing of the memorandum, the following key points were highlighted:
Kostas Agorastos, Regional Governor of Thessaly:
“The Thessaly Region is innovating and becoming the first ‘Bike Friendly’ Region in the country. Just as the country’s production model needs restructuring, so does the tourism product. This is why the Thessaly Region is innovating. We are trying to create the right conditions by using the appropriate tools. Thessaly is a bicycle-friendly region, and many of its cities and areas use bicycles and have been recognized for it. Thessaly has financed the construction of bicycle lane networks and provided municipalities with conventional, electric, and adaptive bicycles for free public use. This is a significant initiative that lays the foundation for creating a unique tourism product. We aspire and are optimistic that ‘Bike Friendly Thessaly’ will succeed. We are targeting a market with a turnover of 22.8 billion euros and 25.5 million overnight stays. This gives us the motivation to move in this direction, using the right tools and procedures.”
Vicky Karantzavelou, Public Relations Manager of the “Bike Friendly” program:
“I would like to thank Regional Governor Mr. Kostas Agorastos and Tourism Consultant Mr. Giannis Boutinas for their initiative. It is worth noting the rapid response from the Thessaly Region. Immediately after the Ministry of Tourism placed NATTOUR’s initiatives under its auspices, Thessaly responded to our program. Thus, Thessaly is the first Region in the country to embrace NATTOUR’s initiatives to advance cycling tourism. Cycling tourism is not just for tourists who love bicycles; it is a gentle means of transport for all tourists. In an urban environment, one car space is equivalent to eight bicycle spaces. Thessaly and its cities are pioneers in this field. You also have beautiful routes from Mount Olympus to Pelion. Our goal is to continue these actions and encourage further involvement from the municipalities of Thessaly to embrace cycling.”
Memorandum of Cooperation
Thessaly Region has great potential for promoting cycling tourism, with flat routes in its major urban centers and diverse cycling routes through its natural environment—mountains, plains, lakes, and coastlines. These are the key advantages of the broader region. The Memorandum of Cooperation signed with the non-profit organization “NatTour,” which manages the “Bike Friendly” certification label, aims to utilize cycling as an activity to further enhance Thessaly as a destination for new visitors, sports groups, cycling enthusiasts, alternative activities, and tourists who want to explore the area by bike.
From Pelion to Mount Olympus and Meteora, from the mountain villages of Karditsa and Trikala to the vast coastlines of Larissa’s beaches, from Volos to Larissa, Trikala, and Karditsa, the region offers a unique combination of natural and cultural beauty, positioning these areas to showcase new forms of sustainable tourism.
The Thessaly Region agrees to support NATTOUR’s actions by facilitating communication with its municipalities and encouraging them to become certified as “Bike Friendly Cities,” with the ultimate goal of promoting the entire region as bicycle-friendly. Through this initiative, visitors to Thessaly will have the opportunity to enjoy its natural wealth, the unique and diverse natural environment, its history, and culture, all through gentle transportation methods, while experiencing the region’s thematic and alternative forms of tourism.
The Memorandum also includes provisions for organizing cycling events, whether sporting or recreational, within the certified municipalities after the first cities receive their “Bike Friendly” certification. These events aim to boost tourism, particularly in the short-term period, as post-COVID-19 challenges persist, where close human contact remains difficult. Cycling as an activity is beneficial because it avoids close contact, with each participant using their own bicycle while maintaining distance.
Moreover, the Thessaly Region will promote cycling activities and certified municipalities and businesses through its electronic hub, print publications, and brochures. The region will also showcase the label and certified municipalities and businesses at tourism exhibitions, once these resume.
It is important to note that the “Bike Friendly” Certification initiatives are under the auspices of the Ministry of Tourism, aiming to promote bicycle use as a means of sustainable development and selected transportation for visitors and tourists in Greece. Through this Cooperation Agreement, the Thessaly Region actively supports the work of the Ministry of Tourism.
Source: Thessaly Region
