SacraVelo: Combination of two different aspects in one product to attract a broader group of people

By project e-smartec

Published on 30 March 2020

Slovakia

About this good practice

Nowadays, many people spend their free time in an active way. People consider cycling as a form of transport where they can relax and also discover new places in their region. The practice aims to create added value for users of cycling routes, by introducing sacral tourism to the cycling routes, which can contribute to increasing their interest in active transport.
In most cases, cycling routes are connected with the natural beauties of the region. In this practice the added value is created by adding sacral tourism to the concept of active transport in the cross-border region. People can visit pilgrimage sites during their trips, enjoy rich cultural heritage of the Hungarian-Slovak border region and combine this experience with the beauties of the natural environment and an active leisure time activity.
The concept is perceived as an undercover marketing tool to increase the use of the bike routes. The new combined “product” has been promoted by traditional communication tools (i.e. information tables with maps, brochures in different languages, events) and modern ones (i.e. mobile app, website). The nature of the project makes it targeted at cyclists, people with religious values or people admiring the sacral heritage. The stakeholders and beneficiaries of the practice include the bodies of local public administration, people living in the region enjoying cycling, tourists, and the members of the Church.

Resources needed

No information is available for the cost of the communication actions.In terms of infrastructure needed for the combination of active transport and sacral tourism, the cost is estimated to approximately 2,8 million for building additional cycling infrastructure,new parts of the routes,resting places

Evidence of success

The practice is seen as successful since it improves the cross-border integration in the specific region. The improvement of the integration is related to economic, touristic, human, traffic as well as environmental aspect. The project is perceived positively by the engaged representatives of local government. The project included one of the affected stakeholder groups – members of the Churches.

Potential for learning or transfer

The particular aspects considered as interesting and suitable for replication within different, specific conditions include the creation of a unique, novel combination of several aspects in one solution. In this case it was the combination of cycling as a recreational activity, leading to healthier lifestyle as well as to the protection of the natural environment, with valuable pieces of local sacral heritage. The potential for transfer of this practice is in its applicability to numerous other aspects, values that are usually being approached separately, but that can work well together to create synergy in their effects. Another well-transferable point is the building upon previously realized projects and solutions. Developing and broadening the previous successful solutions and adding new values leads to higher utilisation of individual parts.