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The cycle holiday congress Travel Talk will be bringing the bike and tourism industries together on 6th September at Eurobike in Friedrichshafen.
In addition to presentations and panel discussions with experts on the focus topics of digitisation, cross-marketing at bike events and bicycle innovations relevant to tourism, organisers, producers and regions have for the first time been able to apply to take part in Travel Talk.
Back in winter, the “Call for Participation” from the congress organizers, Messe Friedrichshafen and Velokonzept, appealed for submissions of innovative, new and special projects, concepts and ideas on topics connected with cycle tourism. From more than 30 applications, the best ten proposals from eight countries were selected for the Coffee “Brake” Pitch. The aim here is to put on a persuasive presentation to the audience in just 150 seconds. Visitors then decide by digital vote on which three projects they would like to hear more detailed information about. A wide range of topics will provide the audience with a choice: from mountain biking to film locations in Spain via biking for peace in the Middle East to a French cycle racing chateau.
At the beginning of the conference, Markus Lobis from Tyrol will be looking back on the cultural history of the cycling holiday in order to draw conclusions about today’s development potential for cycle tourism. The extent of this potential will become apparent in the input on “Figures, data, facts of bike tourism” by Darco Cazin, Allegra Tourismus Switzerland and Tilman Sobek, Mountain Tourismusforum Deutschland. As a partner of Travel Talk, the latter is also conducting the afternoon talks on collaboration between destinations and events in the megatrend of mountain biking. “Almost every guest is looking for a very special quality of experience. What most sports enthusiasts are yearning for and the real heart of mountain biking”, said Sobek, “is to blend in fully with the situation, lose track of place and time and simply go along with this flow.”
The second afternoon workshop deals with the topic of digitisation. Presenter Thomas Froitzheim will discuss the latest findings with professionals, before the networking session “Meet the Bloggers” with the blogger platform “The Wrider’s Club” provides an opportunity for an exchange of ideas.
A first chance to admire the innovations and on-trend products of this year’s Eurobike will come in the workshop “From micro to macro: innovations and potential for tourism” with its focus on cargo bikes, e-mobility and micro-mobility, and in the VIP tours following the conference. Theme-based guided tours on “Mountain bike”, “Digitization” and “Innovations for bike tourism” present an occasion to discuss products with the exhibitors and try them out on the test circuit.
Eurobike 2019 will open to trade visitors for three business days, 4th to 6th September, followed by Festival Day on 7th September.
