“It’s a sort of "Taylor-made tour programme for cyclists" – this is how Pedro Barbosa describes the new 'bikotels' network which already has accommodation in over 40 locations in Portugal.
The co-founder of A2Z Adventures, from whcih 'bikotels' grew, Pedro Barbosa explained that the plan was launched two years ago at the International Tourism Fair in Lisbon and the reality will be launched at a forthcoming tourism fair in Holland.
After experience in outdoor activity tourism and consultancy, particularly in the creation of cycle ways, the company decided to "not reinvent the wheel" but to import international models that had been successful for those tourists that want cycling holidays.
To be accepted as suitable and ‘bicyclist friendly’ the accommodation on offer, which already ranges from campsites to a five star hotel, must have at least two cycle ways that begin and end there.
The list of essential items includes a reception, a bike wash, a laundry, outdoor space and a closed and covered compartment for storing the bikes.
"We are talking about tourists with bikes that sometimes are valued at five or six thousand euros, people may want to sleep with them," joked Pedro Barbosa to justify the mandatory requirements which include providing special carbohydrate rich food, and plenty of vegetables and fruit.
Optional services include massages, on-site reception, a repair facility, expert guides to accompany clients, bicycle rental and a GPS or telephone support line to ensure assistance in case of breakdowns.
The 'bikotels' concept is designed to put Portugal on the world map of destinations for holiday cycling and will ensure there are suitable conditions for a week or fortnight’s cycling holiday.
Another objective is to provide defined routes, such as the existing Schist Villages route.
The current accommodation will soon grow to 70 units and the start of at least two more routes; the Romanesque Route (in the north) and the Geopark route which covers ground in the Central and Alto Alentejo regions.
The Algarve is ideally suited and a strong network needs quickly to be established, building on the current 4 members of the scheme, to fit in with the stated aim from the Algarve’s regional tourism board to encourage niche tourism.
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See:
http://www.bikotels.com/bikotels_new/bikotel-by-location-loc.php?l=9
