Bike Friendly Forum 2022: Greek cycling tourism in the spotlight at Philoxenia 2022

Sofia Zacharaki: “The Ministry of Tourism wants the Bike Friendly label to be a passport for each destination to become more popular and attractive.”

The “Bike Friendly Forum” took place with great success on Saturday, November 19, 2022, at the “Nikolaos Germanos” Conference Center, as part of the parallel events of the Philoxenia 2022 international tourism exhibition.

Deputy Minister of Tourism, Sofia Zacharaki, attended the event (in the session “The Bicycle as a Means of Sustainable Development and Government Policy”) and emphasized the importance of the Bike Friendly certification as a tool to enhance the appeal of destinations. Mihalis Papadopoulos, Deputy Minister for Transport, sent a written message, congratulating NatTour and the Bike Friendly Network for their significant contribution to promoting cycling tourism.

Other notable attendees included Nikos Kelaiditis, president of the Association of Tourist and Travel Agencies of Greece, and Eleni Papia, board member of the Thessaloniki Hoteliers Association.

Ms. Zacharaki later attended the panel discussion featuring presentations by mayors of Greek mainland cycling destinations, including the Mayor of Alexandroupolis, Yiannis Zampoukis, and the Mayor of Aristotelis, Stelios Valianos. She noted, “The Ministry wants the Bike Friendly label to serve as a passport for every destination, making it more popular and attractive.” She also outlined the Ministry’s partnerships for the development of cycling tourism, emphasizing that the event and the topics discussed are critical for the Ministry’s future actions.

Christina Amerikanou, Communications Officer for the DEI Cycling Tour of Greece and a member of the Press Office of the Deputy Ministry of Sports, presented on “The Cycling Tour of Greece as a Vehicle for Promoting the Bicycle as a Means of Exercise, Transportation, and Recreation.” Vicky Karantzavelou, General Director of NatTour, introduced the Bike Friendly label, while Christos Petreas, Scientific Advisor, explained “Why We Should Target the Cycling Tourism Market – Bike Friendly Network.”

The panel on Greek island cycling destinations featured representatives from Rethymno, Kos, Skiathos, Leros, and Chios, including Pepi Birliaki, Deputy Mayor of Tourism for Rethymno, and Kostas Verginas, Deputy Mayor of Tourism for Chios.

Finally, the session “Hotels and Bicycles” highlighted best practices from Bike Friendly hotels, including Kallichoron Art Boutique Hotel in Astypalea, Sali Boutique Hotel in Alexandroupolis, Castelli Hotel in Zakynthos, and Saraya Resort Hotel in Leros.

The Bike Friendly Forum 2022 aims to become an institution for the Bike Friendly Network, fostering exchanges of ideas and best practices among municipalities and hoteliers.