Strengthening Rural Tourism through Cycling: The Italian Agritourism and Cycling Federation Collaboration

The president of Confagricoltura, Massimiliano Giansanti, commented on the agreement between the Italian Cycling Federation and Agriturist, presented today at Palazzo della Valle. "I am proud to host you in the place where Agriturist was born in 1965, from which the agritourism phenomenon in Italy was developed. Today, vacationing on farms is widespread throughout the territory and promotes greater knowledge of the primary sector and its products. Your collaboration constitutes a significant boost for hospitality on farms and contributes to revitalizing, also from an economic viewpoint, rural areas and villages." The Statements "The agreement with Agriturist stems from the belief that cycling is an extraordinary lever capable of enhancing the excellences of our country. The Federation firmly believes in this mission, capable of strengthening the social value of our sport by creating sustainable wealth. I thank Confagricoltura and Agriturist for the opportunity offered and also the president of the CR Marche Lino Secchi and Carlo Pasqualini, first promoters of the Bike Hospitality project which is quickly becoming a point of reference for other territories." This was highlighted by the FCI president, Cordiano Dagnoni, signing the agreement with the association that brings together the agritourisms of Confagricoltura. The collaboration born between the Italian Cycling Federation and Agriturist, National Association for Agritourism, Environment the Territory of Confagricoltura aims to develop and integrate the project promoted by the FCI, "Bike Hospitality", with the structures associated with Agriturist, to enrich sustainable mobility and cycling tourism, with additional services for two-wheel users, recognized and qualified by the Italian Cycling Federation. "Our agritourisms, spread throughout Italy, constitute the natural support point for cycle tourists, who will find, in addition to hospitality and enogastronomic products, assistance and travel advice. We are convinced - emphasized Augusto Congionti, president of Agriturist - to be able to highlight even more our activity through the Bike Hospitality initiative, with dedicated cycling routes, capable of enhancing our associated companies, through the 'Bike Hospitality' website and the dedicated App." The population of cycle tourists increases every year: in 2023 it reached almost 57 million presences. The agreement between Agriturist and FCI sets up conferences, seminars, the creation of cycling roads, capable of connecting the approximately 6,000 companies belonging to the association that brings together the agritourisms of Confagricoltura, along with specific competitive or cycle tourism events.