Recep Şamil Yaşacan, President of the Bicycle Tourism Association, stated that Europe earned 52 billion euros in revenue from bicycle tourism and said that efforts are being made to popularize bicycle tourism in Turkey. Yaşacan said, “It will surpass football and golf. "Of course, if the structure for this is prepared," he said. The scope of the Turkey Winter Cycling Races Series, organized for the first time last year by the International Cycling Federation and the Turkish Cycling Tourism Association, has been expanded this year. The races, which will be held under the name 'Turkish Winter/Summer Cycling Races Series', will be held in Antalya and Kayseri. The winter part of the race, which will start on January 27, will consist of a total of 8 stages. The race, which will be held in historical and touristic regions such as Aspendos and Side of Serik, Aksu, Manavgat and Alanya districts, will be completed on March 3. The summer part of the series will continue in Kayseri Erciyes. Erciyes races, in which a total of 9 stages will be run, will start on July 6 and end on August 25. The world's most important racers and teams will compete in the Türkiye Winter/Summer Cycling Races Series.

'38 BICYCLE FRIENDLY HOTELS IN ANTALYA'

Recep Şamil Yaşacan, President of the Bicycle Tourism Association, stated that the race to be held is the largest bicycle race series in the world, and that races will be held in the Antalya region in January, February and March, and the stages in July and August will be held in Erciyes. Emphasizing the importance of bicycle tourism, Yaşacan pointed out that bicycle-friendly hotels should be emphasized. Stating that there are 38 bicycle-friendly hotels in Antalya, Yaşacan emphasized that this number is around 1200 in Spain.

'THEY PROMOTE OUR COUNTRY GREATLY ON SOCIAL MEDIA'

Explaining that such races are organized to show that Turkey is suitable for cycling tourism, Yaşacan said, “With these races, we show that our country is suitable for cycling. That's why we brought the world's largest bicycle racing series to Turkey. Many teams come from China, Indonesia, Japan, Arabia, Africa, the USA, all over Europe and CIS countries. They are participating in the race here. Because this is an international racing series. It is not any racing series organized by the private sector. Every team that comes here collects country points and participates in the Olympics. It is an official racing series that we organize together with the official federation. This will make a great contribution to our country and its tourism. Both for promotion and for the upcoming bicycle tourists, whom we call 'veteran'. All of these cyclists are a Maradona, they are all a Ronaldo. They promote our country tremendously on social media. “They have millions of followers,” he said.

'IT HAS RETURNED 52 BILLION EUROS TO EUROPE'

Noting that Europe currently generates 52 billion euros in revenue from bicycle tourism, Yaşacan said, “They are struggling to see how we can increase this to 75 billion euros. Since our Minister of Culture and Tourism knows the subject very well, he attends and participates in all kinds of promotions and fairs. Gradually, in two or three years, this will become very popular. It will surpass football, it will surpass golf, it will surpass everything. Of course, if the structure for this is prepared. It was like a road or a hotel. "The Ministry is working hard on this issue," he said.

'TARGET IS TO GET 5-10 BILLION EUROS'

Stating that bicycle customers have a turnover of 52 billion euros in Europe, Yaşacan said, “I am not saying in the world, this figure is only in Europe. Our goal is to receive 5-10 billion euros of this. If we can get these figures within 1-2 years, we will consider ourselves successful. We brought cycling races to our country and athletes from many countries will come to the races. This is very important for the promotion of our country. We are progressing step by step. If bicycle tourism continues at this pace in the future, 5 billion euros is not a dream. We won't even like 5 billion euros. The target will be at least 10 billion euros. "If we can manage the current process well, we can reach these figures," he said.

'IF WE UNDERSTAND THE SERIOUSNESS OF THE BUSINESS, WE WILL PASS EUROPE'

Yasacan noted that if hoteliers support this issue, they will surpass Europe. Yaşacan said, “We have not eaten yet in bicycle tourism. Our number of hotels is only 38, but it is growing like an avalanche. In 1996, there was almost no football field in our country. Now the private sector has more than 200 football fields in our region. If bicycle-friendly hotels understand the seriousness of this issue, we will grow like an avalanche and surpass Europe. Just as we surpassed the world in football, we progress in the same way in cycling. If we embrace it, we will get 30-40 percent of the 75 billion euro turnover in Europe. Our nature, our historical places are all better. "While the number of months to ride a bicycle in Europe does not exceed 4, in our country they can ride for 12 months," he said.  

 

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