Pedal power

Cycling holidays are big business right now, with this summer’s Tour de France, which started in July, generating a much bigger buzz than in previous years thanks in part to the new Netflix documentary, Tour de France Unchained, which first aired in early June.

Closer to home, ireland has announced it hopes to host the iconic race’s opening section in 2026.

But keen cyclists are not confining their love of two wheels to just the UK or the emerald isle – they’re increasingly heading abroad for their cycling fix, whether on self-guided explorations or as part of escorted tours.

part of the appeal is the recent increased investment in cycling infrastructure – both in the UK and abroad – and the range of biking holidays available now reflects this.

Here, the government has announced plans to invest £32.9 million to develop better cycling schemes while investment in other countries’ cycling infrastructures is enticing clients to take their bikes further afield, too. Last September, for example, France invested 250 million Euros in cycling-focused initiatives.

Saddle up

The UK’s Department for Transport recently revealed that in 2022 (compared with 2021), cycling levels in england rose by 47% on weekdays and 27% on weekends. and there’s plenty of proof that many are taking their hobby abroad. “a recent survey conducted by the adventure travel trade Association found that cycling was the second most popular adventure activity after hiking,” says Vimal Mathews, manager of Authentic India Tours, which offers several cycling holidays in india. “69% of respondents had participated in a cycling tour or activity in the past three years.”

All of which is great news for operators specialising in active holidays.

“this year, bookings for our cycling trips have doubled compared to 2022,” says James Adkin, product manager at Explore. “Our best-selling cycling trip is our Cycle the Dalmatian Coast tour, which has seen a fourfold increase since 2019 in terms of sales.”

Long haul pedal power

Additionally, cyclists are exploring beyond the obvious contenders such as France, Italy and Switzerland.

Explore’s Adkin names Japan, Cuba, vietnam and georgia as destinations which are attracting growing numbers of pedal enthusiasts.

“Cuba is a perfect destination for cycling because of the very low traffic levels,” he says. “our Cycle vietnam and Cambodia tour has always proved popular and we’re seeing bookings pick up again now that places have reopened. It’s a tour which offers stunning scenery, ancient history, superb cuisine and great cycle routes.”

However, there are still plenty of options closer to home. Harvey Downard at BSpoke Tours references two which he believes will become increasingly popular over the coming years.

“There’s Italy’s Umbria region, with its history, culture and stunning views of Tuscany, but without the tourists,” he says. “And then there’s Sussex.

With the wine industry there booming, more people are looking to hop between the vineyards by bike.” it’s important that agents take the time to consider their clients’ cycling proficiency, as well as their interests beyond cycling. Someone who’s not far removed from ditching their stabilisers might well dream of pedalling their way around the French Alps, but the steep ascents, high altitude and twisting roads might be beyond their capabilities.

“ask lots of questions about the type of cycling that your client enjoys,” says Downard. “For some, short distances and more cultural stops might be a better fit.”

Bike-related benefits

as an agent, it’s also important to bust any misconceptions, especially at a time when operators are rolling out a wider range of cycling tours –including ones which use e-bikes.

“a top tip for selling cycling trips is to remove the image of mamils (‘middle aged men in lycra’), and the myth that cycling holidays are all about super-fit athletes who power along without a bead of sweat on their brows,” says Adkin.

“our cycling trips are suitable for anybody with a reasonable level of fitness who wants to do an active holiday and discover the hidden sides of a destination.” and don’t be afraid to encourage clients to step out of their comfort zones.

“If a client is unsure of their fitness level, consider an e-bike option and emphasise the presence of a support vehicle, and explore multiple options that might help the client challenge themselves,” says Frank Cheshire, intrepid’s senior product manager. Agents shouldn’t assume clients who aren’t hardcore cyclists aren’t open to the concept of a cycling holiday.

“By highlighting the health benefits, unique experiences and environmental sustainability, agents can appeal to any client looking for a memorable and active holiday experience,” points out Mathews.

Top five cycle tours

Headwater’s Brenner Pass to Venice: This seven-day self-guided tour is a good option for cyclists who want to enjoy italy’s most spectacular landscapes on their own terms. “This region has an abundance of Baroque castles, ornate cathedrals and mountain fortresses to discover, and guests have plenty of time to stop in local market towns,” says Sarah Hughes, product manager at Headwater. headwater.com

Explore’s Cycle South Korea: asia has emerged as a cycling hotspot in recent years, with destinations such as Singapore and South Korea rolling out vast networks of cycling routes. Explore’s 10-day cycling holiday is a great option for competent cyclists keen to gain a unique perspective on one of Asia’s most bike- friendly destinations. it covers 417km over seven days, mainly on paved bike paths and quiet country roads, and begins on the volcanic Jeju island, followed by four days of cycling along the east coast. explore.co.uk

Authentic India Tours Classic Kerala: This eight-day package from authentic india tours is a great option for clients seeking a more leisurely cycling holiday. “this tour takes cyclists through Kerala’s countryside, passing coconut groves, tea plantations and rubber estates,” says Shagzil Khan, Authentic india tours cycle tour leader. “the group also stay on a traditional houseboat and enjoy the beauty of the backwaters.” authenticindiatours.com

Cycling for Softies’ Sparkling Sussex

E-Bike Tour:

On this leisurely three-night cycle around Sussex’s vineyards, expect easy riding along riverside and coastal paths and some spectacular scenery around the South Downs National park. cycling-for-softies.co.uk

Intrepid’s Cycle Slovenia:

Cyclists on Intrepid’s eight-day trip get plenty of opportunities to fuel their explorations, thanks to an abundance of picnics, barbecues and winery visits. Travelling from Ljubljana to Piran, the group will cycle around Lake Bled, wind through the triglav national park and take in alpine views of Kranjska Gora. intrepidtravel.com

Where to book it ExplorE

Explore’s 10-night Cycle South Korea trip costs from £2,654pp. It includes accommodation, bike hire and bullet train tickets, but excludes international flights. explore.co.uk •

The KTO has named 2023-2024 as the year to ‘Visit Korea’ with a new campaign which aims to firmly place the destination on the bucket list of global travellers. This year is especially important as it marks 140 years of relations between Korea and Britain, a special year to celebrate.

Expanding horizons

Pre-Covid, around 90% of travellers to Korea went just to Seoul. To counter this, the KTO recently selected 100 destinations as must- visit spots to try and encourage visitors to explore the beauty, traditions and culture beyond the main cities.

Visitors can experience the Blue House, which recently opened to the public. Similar to the U.S. White House, it is where our Presidents have lived for over 70 years.

Come for K-culture

K-culture started off as K-pop and K-drama, but we have extended it to K-food, K-wellness, K-healthcare and K-beauty as well. We encourage visitors to experience it themselves and see what it is like to live in Korea as a local. There’s so much more to K-culture than what you see on the screen.

In Korea you can surround yourself with truly unique food and culture.

Supporting the trade

We’d like to create more itineraries with tour operators and travel agencies, to raise more awareness and promote the destination together. We are going to contact them and send more information. Plus, we are going to try to connect UK outbound agencies and South Korean inbound agencies, so they can build connections.

Meanwhile, entering the country has never been easier, as for 2023 the K-ETA (Korean Electronic Travel Authorisation) e-visa has been waived for the UK. visitkorea.or.kr •

Barbados hosted the Caribbean Travel Marketplace for the first time this year in May which saw over 700 delegates from 50 countries come together to showcase the Caribbean’s tourism offering.

I think this CHD marketplace in Barbados could not have happened at a more perfect time coming out of the pandemic, which of course hit us hard across the Caribbean. We’ve used the opportunity to introduce delegates to some of the best that

Barbados has to offer. I think in the UK, where the Barbados brand is well known, we are predominantly thought of as a beach destination, but we have more to offer.

Beyond the beach

What makes Barbados so unique is the fact that you can see turtles in their natural habitat either swimming in the sea or even nesting on the beaches. If you go on one of the catamarans or if you’re swimming in Carlisle Bay you have the opportunity to see them in the water. Barbados is also known for its rum, so a tasting at Mount Gay, the oldest rum distillery in the world dating back to 1703, is a must.

Thanking the trade

People that travel to Barbados like to have that concierge service. It’s about hand holding, and providing them with destination knowledge – even booking them into the restaurants because in the winter months you have to pre book! We have a travel agent loyalty programme called the Barbados Elite Club. We use that to reward agents for their bookings, from money cards to familiarisation visits to the island. visitbarbados.org •