www.charts-interreg4c.eu Project CHARTS “Culture and Heritage Added value to Regional policies for Tourism Sustainability” THEMATIC WORKSHOP & STUDY VISITS „CYCLING FOR TOURISTS” Event Report 10 September 2013, Vidzeme region, Latvia (Cesis - Sigulda – Turaida – Birini – Saulkrasti – Limbazi – Igate – Riga) 2013 www.charts-interreg4c.eu TABLE OF CONTENTS 1. INTRODUCTION ..................................................................................................... 3 2. PROCEEDINGS OF THEMATIC WORKSHOP ..................................................... 4 3. STUDY VISITS ......................................................................................................... 6 4. CONCLUSION .......................................................................................................... 7 ANNEXES ................................................................................................................... 10 Annex I Workshop programme .................................................................................... 10 Annex II List of Participants .......................................................................................... 8 2 www.charts-interreg4c.eu 1. INTRODUCTION The thematic workshop on good practices related to ‘cycling for tourists’ refers to study visits at five tourism information centres and cycling tour that took place on 10 September 2013, in Vidzeme region, Latvia, hosted by the project partner Vidzeme Tourism Association, Latvia. 37 participants came together in order to exchange experiences on these topics related to good practices particularly on tourism destinations among project partners. The topic – „cycling for tourists” was dedicated to movement using bicycles while sightseeing. Cycling is healthy, ecological active and suitable for different ages and physical preparedness. It is becoming more popular and varied. Vidzeme Tourism association already developed projects regarding cycling. Road signs, tourist brochures, routes and maps are issued alongside informative videos and seminars. Projects establish and strengthen a cooperation network among tourism professionals related to the bicycle tourism. This could be overtaken by other project’s partners as lessons learned. To ensure the creation of new tourism products, workshops for tourism sector entrepreneurs are being organised with tourism associations and tourist information centers. Also, examples of good practices were showed and discussed. A good practice is a case of good and successful collaboration in particular field, which can be used as an example in further cooperation in the future. Good practice is considered initiative (e.g. methodologies, projects, processes and techniques), undertaken in one of the programme’s thematic priorities (Innovation & Environment), already proved successful (Tangible and measurable results in achieving a specific objective) and it has Potential to be transferred to a different geographic area. To see examples of good practice in real life, participants of the workshop had a chance to have a cycling tour in Saulkrasti. They visited seaside by the Baltic Sea, Cycling Museum. In the same time they were showed road signs, cycling alleys in Saulkrasti. In total, nine project partners were represented: Municipality of South Pelion - Greece, Consell de Mallorca - Spain, Pafos Regional Board of Tourism – Cyprus, Greek National Tourism Organisation – Greece, Vastra Gotaland Region – Sweden, Welsh Government CADW – UK, European Cultural Tourism Network (ECTN) – Belgium, National Institute for Research and Development in Tourism (NIRDT) - Romania together with Vidzeme Tourism Association – Latvia. Workshop was a successful way for CHARTS project partners to get to know good practice examples in Vidzeme Region, Latvia, sharing their experience and GPs alongside discussions. 3 www.charts-interreg4c.eu 2. PROCEEDINGS OF THEMATIC WORKSHOP “Cycling in EU, LV and Vidzeme with examples” – Mr. Raitis Sijāts, Head of the Board of Vidzeme Tourism Association and ICT 13 Project Coordinator in Latvia The workshop started with VTA exchange of experience on cycling in EU, Latvia and Vidzeme region by R.Sijats. He gave the brief history on development of cycling routs in Vidzeme region and detailed the implementation of cycling routes at national, regional and local level. He outlined routes, within the framework of the established cycling schemes and their infrastructure, the evaluation criteria and benefits of the Project Tour de LatEst (2009-2010) and Iron Curtain Trail 13 (North section) 2011- 2012 for promotion of cycling tourism in the European Union as means of sustainable tourism development. There are ~ 100 local routes in Latvia in various length, theme, road surface, quality. Mr. Sijāts talked about topical problems in connection with cycling – regular maintenance of the routes and cooperation between institutions (Ministry of Transport, Ministry of Economics, private land owners, non-governmental organizations. He also showed different signs connected with cycling routes in different places – forest, cities, rural regions. The development of the Cycling routes consists of following stages: 1. The idea of the route; 2. The target audience(s) of the route; 3. The planning of routes and route maps; 4. Real-life testing of the routes; 5. Cooperation within the stakeholders along the route ; 6. Issuing (printing) the Route Map; 7. Sign-posting of the routes; 8. Promoting the routes, maintaining the infrastructure. 4 www.charts-interreg4c.eu Euro velo signs are divided in three levels: national, regional and local, VTA is the responsible organization for signs. VTA have issued cycling route map in Latvian, Estonian, Lithuanian, Russian, German and English Languages. There are 36 cycling info stands in Latvia alongside bicycle parking stands. Mr. Sijāts told about Iron Curtain Trail (Route ICT 13) in Latvia, which is 564 kilometers long and it includes different Latvian towns and cities. Vidzeme Tourism association has already taken major steps in improving cycling routes, infrastructure and spreading information – maps, printed routes, seminars – among tourists and tourism professionals. Active cooperation is essential to maintain the good practice. “Cycling in Sigulda – opportunities and threats” Mrs, Dana Spulle, Sigulda Tourism Development Agency: The workshop continued with the experience of Sigulda Tourism Development Agency (Latvia). Mrs. Dana Spulle presented cycling at Gauja National Park and Sigulda city and outlined opportunities and threats. She showed a short film about Sigulda, its attractions. Mrs. Spulle told about three types of cycling tourists in region – everyday cyclers (mostly local inhabitants), tourists as cyclers and sport cyclers. She also showed the improvement of cycling routes in Sigulda, comparing photos from different years. In 2012 Sigulda received an award for bicycle friendly infrastructure. For cyclists, to know, whether they are on the route, signs and marking are almost everywhere, even on stones, trees and electrical cabinets. Yearly in Sigulda cycling competitions are held – SEB MTB, TREK cup, Latvian Championship, Baltic Chain Tour and cross- duathlon, cycling orienteering. Other cycling facilities includes information in Sigulda tourism webpage www.tourism.sigulda.lv and webpage specialized for cyclists – webpage divritenis.lv with routes, information, maps and GPS. Cycling tourists divide into different groups, so tourism entrepreneurs must determine their target group carefully – appropriate infrastructure, information, rental services, parking places. Sport events which include cycling can be a way to attract new tourists and cyclers. 5 www.charts-interreg4c.eu 3. STUDY VISITS Participants had the opportunity to take a cycling tour in Saulkrasti city: Visiting Saulkrasti Cycling museum. Saulkrasti Bicycle Museum is the only collection of old bicycles in Latvia. The development of the collection started in 1977. It contains the most technically interesting samples from the history of bicycle development found in Latvia. The collection also includes an extensive range of other objects associated with bicycles, the sport of cycling, associations, and bicycle production. 6 www.charts-interreg4c.eu 4. CONCLUSION Partners had a chance to exchange their experience and transferring good examples. Participants discussed on topics respecting cycling – infrastructure, available information, target groups, rental services. Participants also had a chance to cycle in Saulkrasti and go to Saulkrasti Cycling museum. This workshop was approvingly appreciated both from donor and recipient sides exchanging information with different ways of providing traveler’s information and cycling possibilities. VTA told participants about projects already done regarding cycling which included road signs, parking places for bikes, informative materials, videos. Participants discussed the many manners of cycling tourists – beginners, everyday cyclers, professionals, leisure cyclers. Lessons were learned that no matter in which group cycler is included, information must be provided and suitable for every type of them. Cyclers can get information about routes on the internet, in tourism information centers and on printed materials which are often found on tourism information centers. Also pictures and videos of routes and infrastructure are available on the internet. The partners renewed their appointment for the next project event to be held in Pafos, Cyprus on good practice ‘place