Basilicata and FCI sign an agreement to develop cycle tourism and enhance internal areas

A new mapping and georeferencing of 21 cycle tourism itineraries, for a total of 1,700 kilometres, training activities for operators and initiatives to also promote the internal areas of Basilicata through cycling. These are some of the actions envisaged in the memorandum of understanding signed this afternoon, in Matera, by the Territorial Promotion Agency (APT) of Basilicata and the Italian Cycling Federation (FCI). The agreement, presented in the Apt Open Space, aims to strengthen Lucanian cycle tourism and use sport as a tool for the promotion and economic development of the territory.

"We have chosen a partner whose skills and recognisability can help us strengthen a path already underway - explained the general director of the APT, Margherita Sarli -. We will have a training cycle for tourist operators and stakeholders and we will remap the 21 itineraries, for a total of 1,700 kilometers of routes, which need constant updating, also to guarantee quality and safety for cycle tourists".

Among the planned initiatives are also the mapping and georeferencing of the "Basilicata Coast to Coast" route, which the APT also intends to develop as a cycle route, and the training sessions of the Italian national cyclocross team, which will stop in Fardella (Potenza) from 11 to 17 October. "We also want to animate the internal areas - added Sarli - which can benefit from cycle tourism".

"Cycle tourism is experiencing exponential growth and is now also recognized by administrations and promotion bodies as a true vehicle for tourism development - underlined the president of the FCI, Cordiano Dagnoni - Bike hospitality also means bike economy and development of the local economy from a hospitality point of view.

Matera and Basilicata have great potential yet to be expressed."

The signing took place in conjunction with the FCI Federal Council meeting this morning in Matera. In the evening, at Casa Cava, the Italian national road cycling team will also be presented, leaving for the World Championships in Montreal, scheduled for 20 to 27 September.