The latest "Traveling with a Bike 2026" report (by ISNART - Unioncamere and Legambiente ), recently presented at the Cycle Tourism Show in Padua, confirms that cycling has evolved from a niche activity into a powerhouse of the Italian tourism economy.
The numbers for 2024/2025 are staggering:
49 million estimated overnight stays.
€6.4 billion in direct economic impact on local territories.
Beyond the volume, the demographic shift is what truly defines this new era:
- Closing the Gender Gap
We are witnessing a massive change. Nearly 1 in 2 cycle tourists is now a woman (47.1%), a significant jump from 29.7% in 2024. As highlighted by Loretta Credaro (Isnart), this isn't just a change in demand; it is a massive opportunity for female entrepreneurship in the tourism supply chain.
2. The Gen Z Factor
The bike traveler is getting younger. Gen Z participation has nearly doubled (from 9.3% to 17.3%). These travelers are digitally native, choosing destinations via web research and sharing their experiences on social media, acting as organic ambassadors for the territory.
The economic weight of cycle tourism is now challenging historical pillars of Italian tourism
Vs. Ski Tourism: While skiing remains a high-spending sector, cycle tourism provides superior seasonal distribution. It breathes life into destinations during the shoulder seasons (spring and autumn) when ski resorts are often dormant.
Vs. Thermal/Wellness Tourism: While spa tourists are "top spenders," cycle tourism has a more capillary distribution across rural areas. Interestingly, they complement each other: the average cycle tourist is interested in wellness services.
Vs. Golf Tourism: While Golf has traditionally been the gold standard for high-spending tourism, the new data reveals a significant shift. Although the average golf traveler maintains a higher daily spend (over €200), the total economic volume of cycle tourism far exceeds the total turnover of the golf sector in Italy. The real difference lies in the "open" vs. "closed" infrastructure: while golf spending tends to remain "fenced in" within exclusive resorts, cycle tourists' money flows directly into the local fabric, distributing wealth across every café, family-run bakery, and museum along the trail, turning the entire territory into a shared, value-generating destination.
A Growing Sector - Bike Rental Business
The market is responding to demand. Local bike rental points and service hubs have increased by 47% since 2019, creating a dense network of support for travelers along the major cycle routes.
The data from "Traveling with a Bike 2026" report confirms the growing significance of cycle tourism for our country. The presence of 265 exhibitors at the fifth edition of the Cycle Tourism Show is concrete evidence of a movement that now deserves a dedicated national policy to become even more competitive on international markets. Within this framework, the growth of the female segment is particularly striking: it proves that cycle tourism is an opportunity for inclusion across all demographics. This is the message we have always championed: a cycling holiday is truly for everyone.
Pinar Pinzuti
Cycling Brainwasher @ Bikenomist
Director Cycle Tourism Show | Member of EuroVelo Council | Women in Cycling Ambassador