The strategy elaboration process included a desktop analysis of the offers in East Bavaria. The analysis focused on cycle tourism, cycle tourism offers of the accommodation companies and bicycle transport in public transport. Furthermore, tourism development coordinators, public authorities and beneficiaries of ecotourism were involved in the strategy process from the outset. Therefore, OB organized three stakeholder meetings or rather workshops in Regensburg. Work approaches used during the meetings in Regensburg: In-depth presentation by an expert on sustainable tourism development, interviews, and SWOT analysis elaboration before and during workshops including feedback loops and mind mapping. All stakeholders agreed upon strengthening cycle tourism in East Bavaria as a main building block in sustainable, regional tourism.

Photo credits: A Poschinger

The strategy elaboration process helped OB to get in touch with new stakeholders from different sectors and institutions who are interested in sustainable tourism. The most rewarding part was the realization of how well the awareness for cycling as a means of sustainable mobility and for cultural advancement and environmental protection/eco-friendly economic growth was already rooted in the stakeholders’ minds. Sustainable tourism also includes regional economic effects (income in the region visited, contributions to regional economic cycles), the strengthening of culture and identity and the quality of life. Bicycle tourism can achieve this above all if the offers are integrated into regional value creation chains, regional specialties of local producers are included, and the revenues also flow into the preservation of landscape and culture. The prerequisite for "advantages for the population and regional economy" is the successful acquisition of guests. The prerequisite for this is an attractive, customer-oriented offer. In cycling tourism, this means above all high product and experience quality.

Photo credits: Tourismusverband Ostbayern, Norbert Eisele Hein

In terms of OB’s mission for sustainable growth of the tourism sector in East Bavaria the ecotourism strategy foremost aims for the combination of cycle tourism with travel/transfer via public transport which meets the essential criteria of sustainable tourism: low consumption of resources, small ecological footprint, small CO2 footprint.

The guidelines developed within WP3 “Guidelines for ESS-based ecotourism strategy” and "Guidelines for sustainable bicycle tourism“ have formed the basis for our approach to reach a higher level of sustainable, eco-friendly cycle tourism in East Bavaria. The procedure of regional coordination and the involvement of the local partners chosen in the project has been corresponding to the layout of the "Guidelines for ESS-based ecotourism strategy".

As part of the EcoVeloTour project, OB organized the networking event on sustainable cycling tourism together with UP in Regensburg on September 10, 2020. Therefore, the network meeting focused on the need for action for the sustainable development of cycle tourism in Eastern Bavaria. Main topics were following: What is the potential of cycle tourism in East Bavaria? How sustainable are hosts, tour operators, regions along the EuroVelo cycle path network? What do you experience on a trip along the Danube?

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