Bike and economy, cycle tourism is reinvented. Mauro Fumagalli is optimistic “let’s start again with a proximity tourism. People want to go out into nature and discover the beauty of the area”

In the bicycle economic field, cycling is undoubtedly an expanding niche in our country thanks to breathtaking landscapes, an immense artistic and cultural heritage and a food and wine sector that attracts tourists from all over the globe. The virus emergency with the closure of the borders has also brought this sector to its knees. To take stock of the situation we turned to Mauro Fumagalli, the beating heart of Marche Bike Life, one of the most dynamic tour operators on two wheels.

Mauro, introduce yourself to our readers and tell us about your business
“I am also Born To Cycle, I have always cycled as an amateur, then I started cycling tourism in South America moving between Cuba, Bolivia, Chile, Peru and Ecuador. After this ten-year experience in 2014 I founded Marche Bike Life, where we started organizing excursions and cycling holidays in the Marche, a fascinating territory, then we expanded with tours in the rest of the peninsula and abroad, in warm countries especially in the winter, such as Cuba and the Azores ”

Before the health emergency, an unforgettable season lay ahead thanks to the support of the tourist agency of the Marche Region which fielded a super testimonial such as Vincenzo Nibali
“Yes, the region has launched” Marche outdoor “investing great resources to create a project for tourism. I collaborate as a consultant and as regards cycling tourism, a great job has been done to map the itineraries, organize and survey the Bike Hotels and a great promotion was made in the sector fairs, and as icing on the cake we used an exceptional testimonial like Vincenzo Nibali. We got a great response and many bookings since last autumn also at the Itinerando Show in Padua, a fair of sustainable tourism where I participated personally with my Marche Bike Life. Obviously the emergency blocked everything ”

How are you organizing the restart?

“Foreign tourists are fundamental for our business because in many countries the culture of cycling is widespread and they appreciate the beauty of our peninsula and their absence is devastating for us and all tourism. In these days, however, I am optimistic because we are aiming all about proximity tourism and we are having excellent results. The inhabitants of the neighboring areas are very interested in our day trips or short weekends in contact with nature. After a period of freezing in the house people want to go out and be outdoors, there is a great desire to escape into nature and that is exactly what we offer. Our all inclusive package includes the rental of bicycles, even those with pedal assistance and the rest is done by the territory: in the Marche within 40 kilometers passes from the sea to the mountains, the hinterland is full of splendid ancient villages and artistic treasures and the food and wine offer is excellent”

How did you get organized for the restart phase?

“Obviously we have considered all the possible risks. In our excursions we maintain safety distances between the participants, we take care of the sanitization of the bikes and in particular of the helmets. For now we cannot include visits to museums or cellars, but we have organized to replace the refreshments we offer to participants with an outdoor picnic to always keep the distance between people ”

Your prospects for the sector?

“This proximity tourism is a good start, we have approached a type of clientele that in the past we did not consider as a priority and we will try to develop a greater offer of itineraries and experiences in the coming years. We sincerely hope that the health situation improves so that we can have tourists foreigners already in late July or early August and in the autumn we will leave with tours abroad in some Caribbean paradise. We are a growing sector, we are doing everything possible to overcome the covid emergency, but we want to be a pivot for the restart of the sector tourist and country. But I want to conclude with an invitation: Marche district is a fantastic area and we are very well equipped for your cycling holiday, come and you will return home fascinated by this exciting experience “.