Lloret de Turisme has incorporated a specific cycle touring action plan within its annual action plan for 2017 through which it aims to showcase and boost the structuring of this product in the municipality.
The action plan includes the definition of 15 mountain biking and road cycling routes, the incorporation of the corresponding circuits, the creation of audio-visual material, the production of a comprehensive booklet with all the information cyclists need (routes, distances, elevation gains and losses, points of interest and associated services, etc.) and the design of a specific microsite. Furthermore, Lloret is taking part in four of the leading fairs for this sports tourism segment in 2017: the Fahrrad & Erlebnis-Reisen fair in Stuttgart (January), the Sea Otter Europe Bike Show in Girona (June), the Eurobike Show in Friedrichshafen, Germany (end of August/early September) and the Unibike Show in Madrid (September).
It’s worth highlighting that 2017 has been declared the Year of the Bicycle by the Costa Brava Girona Tourist Board, an initiative aimed at promoting the product as part of its action plan.
Lloret de Mar has held the Sports Tourism certification of the Catalan Tourist Board since 2006 and is currently certified for five sports: football, team sports, athletics, swimming and cycling.
Furthermore, the destination now boasts 26 hotels certified by the Catalan Tourist Board as sports tourism establishments, of which 15 hold the specific cycle touring certification: Gran Hotel Monterrey, Acacias Suites & Spa, Fenals Garden, Acapulco, Costa Encantada, Evenia Olympic Suites, Evenia Olympic Garden, Evenia Olympic Park, Evenia Olympic Palace, Gran Garbí, Guitart Gold Central Park, H TOP Royal Star, Maria del Mar, Samba and Xaine Park.
Over the course of 2016, especially during the period from January to June, more than 1,400 cyclists stayed in Lloret de Mar and this year the hotels of Lloret already have firm bookings for more than 1,000 cyclists, nearly all of whom are French.
According to Elizabeth Keegan, Director of Lloret Turisme, “This year we’re keen to promote the sport since it still has huge potential for growth in Lloret de Mar and is a great way to reduce the seasonal nature of tourism in the destination. In other disciplines the availability of sports facilities in the municipality may represent a stumbling block but this factor doesn’t affect cycling since cyclists don’t need to book any of our facilities.”
