Analysis of bike-friendly services for sustainable and resilient tourism: the case of Apulia region

Nowadays, experiential tourism, active tourism, sports tourism, and slow tourism have witnessed a remarkable surge in popularity, attracting a significant segment of travellers seeking unique and immersive experiences. These forms of tourism encompass activities that align with the principles of sustainability: the economic dimension, since it is an activity able to generate revenues for the administrations; the environmental one, being an ecological activity, fostering respect for nature and all living beings; the social one, since new paths provides both new transport infrastructure and possibility for recreation also for the local population. Cycling tourism is the main segment of this phenomenon, leading decision-makers to foster the financing and building of new recreational cycle paths at local and national levels. To ensure the success of cycling tourism initiatives, the approval and involvement of the public and citizens are crucial. Traditional decision-making methods may not fully capture the perspectives and preferences of these key stakeholders, necessitating the adoption of participatory procedures for evaluation. By employing participatory approaches, decision-makers can incorporate a wide range of voices, resulting in more informed and inclusive decision-making processes. Based on this premise, this study aims to develop a comprehensive framework for evaluating the implementation of cycling tourism services; CAWI (Computer Assisted Web Interviewing) is employed to gather insights from city administrators who play a pivotal role in the planning and implementation of cycling infrastructure and services. The Apulia region in Italy is selected as a case study due to its unique geographic characteristics, including a predominantly flat terrain with limited hills and its abundance of naturalistic attractions. Moreover, Apulia has recently launched the "Puglia Bike Destination strategy" a strategic plan designed to enhance cycling tourism throughout the region. A survey was conducted across all municipalities, local authorities, and trade associations in Apulia to comprehensively assess the existing cycling infrastructure, facilities, and equipment. The survey was designed to explore the willingness of stakeholders to implement new cycling services, particularly bike-sharing, as well as to gather insights into the challenges, opportunities, and specific requirements associated with such initiatives. The results will shed light on the existing infrastructure gaps, potential benefits, and challenges identified by the stakeholders, providing a comprehensive overview of the region’s readiness and interest in promoting cycling tourism.