TOURISM businesses are being urged to do more to capitalise on the country’s growing reputation among visitors who come to Scotland for cycling breaks, as research revealed the market is worth £345 million to the economy.
The call comes as a new leisure cycling tourism guide is launched today by Sustrans Scotland, the charity which encourages people to make more journeys by foot and bike, and Scottish Enterprise.
The Leisure Cycling Tourism Guide offers advice and guidance on how to make their businesses more accommodating for cyclists.
It comes as research shows that more than 152,000 tourist visits to Scotland each year are made by holidaymakers who spend at least a day cycling. But of the 7, 104 accommodation listings on the Visit Scotland website, fewer than one in seven are presented as cycle friendly.
John Lauder, national director of Sustrans Scotland, said: “In order to realise the full potential of cycling opportunities in Scotland, it is vital for businesses to understand the needs of leisure cyclists. The cycling market is thriving and has the potential to become one of Scotland’s top tourism activities.
“Businesses in the sector need to wake up to this huge, untapped opportunity.
“Many will only to make a few minor adjustments, to feel the benefits offered by the sector.”
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