On 12 December in Siena, at Palazzo Patrizi, was held a conference, organized by the City of Siena with the support of the Tuscany Region, Toscana Promozione Turistica and the European Association of the Via Francigena Ways (EAVF), entitled “The Via Francigena by bike. The economic opportunities of cycling in the territory of Siena”.

The meeting highlighted great economic and visibility opportunities linked to cycling tourism, with particular attention to historic routes and the Via Francigena, the first Homogeneous Tourist Product in the Tuscany Region. The discussion will allow the launch of a series of training sessions, scheduled between January and March 2020 for professionals and accommodation services, with the aim to develop an operational regulation dedicated to this theme.

Andrea Corsi, Deputy Mayor of the City of Siena, opened the event, followed by Francesco Tapinassi, Director of Tourism, Trade and Services in the Tuscany Region, Francesco Palumbo, Director of Toscana Promozione Turistica and Sami Tawfik, Project Manager of the European Association of the Via Francigena Ways.

The Councilor for Tourism of the City of Siena, Alberto Tirelli, drew attention to the theme “Siena, a destination of excellence for cycling tourism“. The bicycle sector in Italy was analyzed in the speech “Cycle tourism, an issue for Tuscany. Prospects and good practices” by Alice Marmorini – Hotel Marketing Manager and expert in cycling tourism. Paolo Bonari, Projects Service of the City of Siena and its municipalities, shared “Terre de Sienne Slow project”. Finally, the report by architect Massimiliano Biagi on the theme “Cyclo-tourist reception, solutions for accommodation structures” was presented.