The Presidential Cycling Tour of Turkey, organised under the patronage of the Presidency of the Republic of Turkey, the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, and Türkiye Tourism Promotion and Development Agency (TGA), recently took place on a unique route full of historical locations and natural beauty.
Subscribe to our Telegram channel to get a daily dose of business and lifestyle news from NHA – News Hub Asia!
The “Presidential Cycling Tour of Turkey” was organised for the first time in 1963 by the Turkish Cycling Federation as the only intercontinental cycling tour in the world and was referred to as the “Marmara Tour”. This year, the tour enjoyed a different route that started in Cappadocia on 11 April, and ended in Kuşadası on 18 April. Participation were extended to riders from 12 countries and was broadcasted on Eurosport for three hours every day, which allowed bicycle race enthusiasts to witness the experience from the comfort of their homes.
The race covered around 1,347 kilometres, which included historical locations such as Konya, Beyşehir, Alanya, Kemer, Göğübeli Peak, Fethiye, Marmaris, Turgutreis, Bodrum and Kuşadası. Teams and athletes from Belgium, Israel, Italy, Spain, France, Russia, United States, Norway, Netherlands, Kazakhstan, Switzerland, and Malaysia enjoyed the natural and historical sights of Turkey as they cycled through famous tourist destinations.
In line with the concept of sustainable tourism, the Ministry of Tourism has been issuing “Bicycle Friendly Accommodation Facility Document and Safe Tourism Certificates”. These measures along with other hygiene regulations were put in place to ensure that this year’s cycling tour can proceed while the safety and health of participants is guaranteed.
About TGA
TGA operates to ensure that Turkey becomes a well-known brand in domestic and international tourism. TGA promotes all possible aspects of the heritage of Turkey, and engages in short-, medium- and long-term communication and marketing activities to help raise the share of the tourism industry in the national economy while improving the experience of anyone visiting Turkey. TGA is responsible for carrying out all promotional, marketing and communication activities to help Turkey achieve its tourism objectives, promote and market the current tourism resources worldwide, and discover, develop and make available potential tourism resources in line with the tourism strategies and policies made by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism.
The Safe Tourism Certification Program:
Turkey implemented the “Safe Tourism Program Certification” during the 2020 tourism season. The program was rapidly embraced by the key players in the industry and defines a series of measures that must be taken across a vast range of related areas including food & beverage, transportation, and accommodation establishments to ensure the health and well-being of facility personnel and guests, both local and foreign.
Bicycle Friendly Accommodation Facility Document:
To promote cycling tourism, a notification was published in the Official Gazette on August 25, 2020 on bicycle-friendly accommodation certificates. To obtain this certificate, hospitality businesses are required to fulfill the criteria which can be found on TGA’s official website. In addition, the https://gocyclingturkiye.com/ website showcases information on the abundant natural and historical riches in the regions through which the routes pass.
Source: TGA 2021 (Press release)
