Traffic
With the holiday on Thursday, summer also reaches its peak – especially in Italy with Ferragosto. Although there are now fewer than before Corona, many Italian cyclists from South Tyrol continue to travel to Lienz every year.
Around August 15th, about 4,000 cyclists ride daily along the cycle path from Innichen in the Pustertal valley to Lienz. They expressed their enthusiasm for the route in an ORF interview: “We just arrived by bike from Innichen and are now taking a tour through the center. It is very beautiful here and full of life,” exclaimed Alessandra Olmi from La Spezia.
Combination of Bike and Train
“We already knew the cycle path to Innsbruck and then heard about Lienz, so we came here for the first time,” added Omar Imperlati from Florence. “The route is always slightly downhill, and now we are taking the train back,” described Fabian Sartori from Bassano del Grappa about his cycling trip through East Tyrol.
Many handle it similarly: Cyclists are transported back to their home in Italy in dedicated bicycle trains of the ÖBB: “This is proof of the efficiency of the Austrian Federal Railways and the Tyrolean transport association. They have capacities ready in Lienz and manage to bring the guests home comfortably,” said Lienz urban developer Oskar Januschke.
Even before the Corona crisis, even more cycling tourists were counted in Lienz – around 8,000 daily. However, Januschke does not want to speak of a drop: “Compared to previous years, we don’t have the strong peaks this year; it has evened out a bit. Overall, the concept remains good and successful,” he emphasized.
Cycling Holidays Should Spark More Interest
The numbers indicate that Italian guests are returning: The proportion of vacationers from Italy has now increased by ten percent. Day visitors also spend money in East Tyrol, as urban developer Januschke knows: “Guests spend an average of 38 euros per day in the region. Additionally, we also transport image points. They experience our region in a calm, relaxed way. Later they come back, maybe visit the museums, or go on a mountain excursion,” he explained. The concept seems to be working.