CENTRALBALTICCYCLING
Development and improvement of cycling route network in Central Baltic area
- Thematic cluster:
- SMEs
- Programme:
- Central Baltic Programme
- Priority:
- 2. Economically competitive and innovative region
- Direction of support:
- Supporting innovation and improving competitiveness
- Duration:
- Jan 2012 - Oct 2013 (1 years, 10 months)
- Total funding:
- 1 463 840 €
- ERDF funding:
- 1 133 760 €
- EUSBSR Priority area
- Reinforcing cohesiveness of the macro-region through tourism
- Website:
- http://www.zemgale.lv/eng/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1236&Itemid=100109
Development idea
In the Baltic and Scandinavian countries, tourism is one of the fastest growing industries. However, an incomplete infrastructure and the lack of information represent obstacles for the development of the cycling tourism. More and more foreign tourists regard the Baltic and Scandinavian countries as a single tourism destination, creating a need to improve the cooperation between authorities, private companies and citizens in the region.
Aim of the project
The project developed and promoted a network of cycling routes in Latvia, Finland and Sweden. In addition, the long-term cooperation between the public and private sectors regarding cycling tourism was enhanced, and partly be investing in cycling infrastructure in the regions partcipating in CentralBalticCycling.
Main project activities
The project started out by assessing the development potential of cycling tourism in the Central Baltic region. In addition, the project established and strengthened a network of tourism professionals related to bicycle tourism. During the project bicycle tourism infrastructure was improved especially in Latvia and Sweden, and the region was promoted as a joint tourism destination. Furthermore, workshops for tourism entrepreneurs were organised together with tourism associations and tourist information centres.
Partners
Zemgale Planning Region
- Country:
- Latvia
- Region:
- Zemgale
- ERDF funding:
- 178 621 €
- Amount of eligible national funding:
- 43 907 €
Vidzeme Tourism association
- Country:
- Latvia
- Region:
- Vidzeme
- ERDF funding:
- 210 792 €
- Amount of eligible national funding:
- 52 698 €
Örebro Regional Development Council
- Country:
- Sweden
- Region:
- Örebro
- ERDF funding:
- 217 649 €
- Amount of eligible national funding:
- 87 987 €
NGO West-Estonia Tourism
- Country:
- Estonia
- Region:
- Lääne-Eesti
- ERDF funding:
- 81 806 €
- Amount of eligible national funding:
- 20 452 €
Municipality of Nacka
- Country:
- Sweden
- Region:
- Stockholm
- ERDF funding:
- 0 €
- Amount of eligible national funding:
- 0 €
Kurzeme Tourism association
- Country:
- Latvia
- Region:
- Kurzeme
- ERDF funding:
- 186 216 €
- Amount of eligible national funding:
- 46 554 €
Jelgava Regional Tourism Centre
- Country:
- Latvia
- Region:
- Zemgale
- ERDF funding:
- 92 941 €
- Amount of eligible national funding:
- 23 235 €
City of Pargas
- Country:
- Finland
- Region:
- Varsinais-Suomi
- ERDF funding:
- 165 735 €
- Amount of eligible national funding:
- 55 245 €
Results
New cycling routes in Latvia and Sweden
New cycling routes have been developed especially in Latvia and Sweden. The routes are marketed both via traditional information channels (brochures, maps, fairs) and the internet.
In Sweden, the project developed and promoted new cycling routes in the region of Örebro. Especially mountainbike routes were promoted. At the interactive web service "Bergslagen cycling" it is possible to learn more about the different routes and the services provided to cycling tourists.
