The next edition of the Cycle Tourism Forum will take place in Padua within the Cyclotourism Show, from March 27 to 29, 2026. It is a space dedicated to operators, organizations, and professionals in the sector, but also open to those who want to explore the opportunities of traveling by bicycle.
The event is designed as a true laboratory of ideas, where training, case studies, and workshops intertwine with moments of networking, B2B meetings, and experience exchanges. The goal is to share strategies and practical tools to grow cyclotourism in Italy and Europe, enhancing territories, itineraries, and new sustainable ways of traveling.
The Forum Program
The fifth edition of the Cyclotourism Show will take place from March 27 to 29, 2026 at the Fiera di Padua, with March 27 entirely dedicated to the Forum, designed for professionals and operators. The following weekend, the program will also open to the general public with meetings, presentations, and travel stories.
The Forum day will begin at 10:30 with institutional greetings and an international conference on the challenges and opportunities of the sector.
Immediately after, the latest ISNART Report on the economic impact of cyclotourism will be presented, prepared in collaboration with Legambiente and Bikenomist. The analysis will provide an updated overview of the economic value of cyclotourism for territories and regions, highlighting local development, sustainable tourism, and new opportunities for local economies.
Next, a European index will be presented, showing where cyclists traveled in 2025 outside their home regions. This tool will provide data on cyclotourism flows, trends, and the most frequented regions in Europe, useful for operators in planning itineraries and development strategies.
In the afternoon, the Forum will move into practical sessions. The panel on “Designing Networks, Cycle Routes, and Trails” will analyze the construction, management, and quality of cycling infrastructure, while the panel on “Producing Cyclotourists” will present initiatives, projects, and events that bring new travelers closer to bicycling and slow tourism.
The day will conclude with a focus on emerging skills in bicycle tourism, offering insights on new professional roles and career opportunities, also considering inclusion and innovation. All information and materials related to the program are available online, in Italian and English, for Italian and international operators.
You can find the whole program here.
Producing Cycle Routes and Producing Cyclotourists
The panel “Designing Networks, Cycle Routes, and Trails: Experiences and Challenges” will open with a keynote by Alex Crevar, one of the founders of the Trans Dinarica, the cycle route that crosses eight countries in the Western Balkans. Subsequently, the panel will include managers and experts from the main Italian and European cycle route and trail networks, including EuroVelo, European Greenways Association, IMBA, and Etifor.
The meeting aims to discuss the practical challenges of designing and implementing cycling routes: from technical planning to territory management, from route safety to tourism development. The speakers will share experiences, difficulties, and practical solutions, offering a unique opportunity to understand what really works, learn from best practices, and build routes that make destinations increasingly accessible and attractive for cyclists.
The panel “Producing Cyclotourists: Initiatives, Projects, and Events” will begin with the presentation of Adventure Cycling Camps, part of the Active Hungary program, which has brought over 25,000 children and young people onto bicycles. The session will then explore other initiatives that bring people closer to cycling and discovering territories, through festivals, events, projects, services, and products designed to make cyclotourism accessible and engaging for audiences of all ages.
The goal is to understand how these experiences can help form a new generation of cyclotourists, equipped with skills, mindset, and awareness to choose the bicycle as a tool for travel, exploration, and connecting with territories. Speakers include Luca Pirola from the Istituto Magistrale Statale Adelaide Cairoli in Pavia, FIAB with its year-round initiatives, and Isabell Eberlein of VeloBerlin.
The Cycle Tourism Forum: A Journey Over the Years
The Cyclotourism Forum is an established event that over the years has taken place in various Italian regions, from Bologna to Assisi and the Pollino National Park, addressing topics such as infrastructure, sustainable tourism, and nature trails.
Each edition has helped create a national network of operators and professionals, promoting the exchange of best practices and discussions on the opportunities and challenges of the sector. The Padua edition represents a moment of synthesis and relaunch, with the full program available online, also in English, for Italian and international operators.
Participating allows you to stay updated on trends, interact with experts, and join an international network, discovering new tools to grow cyclotourism in Italy and Europe.
