Revitalizing journeys: Cycling tourism surges in post-pandemic Italy

The chapter delves into the impact of the pandemic on tourists’ travel preferences and the subsequent challenges faced by the tourism industry. It highlights the need for a new era of sustainable tourism, with a special focus on cycling tourism, as a means to promote local development, provide a leisurely experience in harmony with nature. The bicycle has emerged as a therapeutic and mindfulness tool, gaining significant popularity post-pandemic. Data reveals exponential growth in cycling tourism, making it a preferred activity that stimulates interests in nature, sports, gastronomy, culture, and local landscapes. This qualitative study examines a case study in Italy, to identify the factors and conditions that have led to its successful development as a cycling tourism destination. Analyzing the attractiveness of a territory as a tourist destination in this context is of utmost relevance. However, despite its potential benefits, this emerging tourism product requires further research.