5 July 2013
The Value of Cycle Tourism newsletter article
Our newest report, published in partnership with Sustrans Scotland, sets out the large benefits to the Scottish economy provided by cycle tourism. The report, authored by Ivan Zovko, found that leisure cycle tourism is worth up to £239m every year. Scottish tourism minister Fergus Ewing welcomed the publication of the report, and a motion submitted by Jim Eadie, MSP, has drawn cross-party support in the Parliament. The report received widespread media coverage, including BBC TV and STV, as well as coverage in most of Scotland’s key newspapers.
- The report sets out a series of recommendations as to how the cycle tourism sector can be further expanded, including:
- Promotion of Scotland as a top destination for cycle tourism.
- Development of themed areas for cycle tourism, for example whisky tours by bike.
- The promotion of cycle tourism to a wider demographic.
- More collaboration between local and regional stakeholders.
- Greater centralisation of information and technology integration.
- Better data collection and monitoring.
- A single coordinating body for leisure cycle tourism with links to the private sector.
The report has already provoked interest from the Scottish Government’s economic development agency, Scottish Enterprise, who are about to commission further detailed research into the growth potential of Scottish cycle tourism.