220 participants in the 2nd Loire à Vélo meeting series

An interregional and multi-partner project

When introducing the day, Pascale Rössler, Vice-President of the Centre region, recalled how Loire à Vélo fits into the regional policy of sustainable development, in particular through the objective of eco-mobility, with the train-cycle link. 

Jacques Auxiette, President of the Pays de la Loire region and of Mission Val de Loire, emphasised the collective character of this project, which brings together local authorities, institutions and tourism professionals. Whilst the first returns are a source of satisfaction, Mr Auxiette also pointed out where there is room for improvement: finalising a fixed schedule for the route (2012), improving the safety of the route and its visibility on the Loire, and improving the reception given to cyclo-tourists via innovation. One important idea is that Loire à Vélo should be a support and point of entry to a widened geographical area and other points of interest (châteaux, wines, hobbies, etc). 

2011 initiatives

The morning was followed by a presentation on the initiatives planned for 2011 in terms of development and promotion/communication by regional services and regional tourist institutions, then by an assessment of use of the Loire à Vélo brand by Céline Réveillard from Mission Val de Loire. 

During exchanges with professionals, it was made clear that the information relay service (RIS) panels planned for every 10km along the route will not be able to contain large amounts of information, and notably will not be able to make references to professionals: this information will be made available to tourists via the mobile site (spring/summer 2011 with the upgrading of the loireavelo.fr website), then the Smartphone application (2012). 

With regard to the website, an appeal was launched for the professionals’ websites to link to the official loireavelo.fr website, which provides up-to-date information on the route, and which will improve the natural positioning of this website, as a potential supplier of visits to the professionals’ sites. 

Amongst the innovative services to be developed, offering the transportation of bottles of wine at no extra cost to cyclo-tourists who are participating in wine tourism is being considered. 

User Survey

Alain Beignet and Sophie Saramito, the Presidents of the Centre and Pays de la Loire CRTs (Centres for Regional Tourism), urged professionals to use the survey’s results to work together with tourism institutions to improve the quality of the welcome extended to tourists, at a time when Loire à Vélo is becoming a real, recognised tourist destination, in particular by tourist offices. 

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On the issue of information on the local area, two levels were identified: regions for signposting the route (panels, information relay service)/communities of towns and villages between the signposting of local commercial and non-commercial services, with the need for a blueprint. This should be done taking into account the digital response (Smartphones) which can integrate tourist and cultural information (exploration of heritage). 

These exchanges were an opportunity to highlight several innovative initiatives: 

• River cruises in the area around Angers with return by bike
• Development of a 2 day ‘relaxation passport’ linking, amongst 4 choices each time, visits and activities, including cycling and activities on the river.

The day ended with the presentation of 2 initiatives (see the end of the general presentation above): 

• Creation of a tailor-made, shared facility for cyclo-tourists at the Isle Verte campsite in Montsoreau including: left-item storage, water point, cooking space and covered area. This area of 64 m² on a parcel of land of 400 m² is aimed at 30 cyclo-tourists. This facility has benefited from the Pays de la Loire region call for project and will be officially opened in May 2011.
• Project for a bicycle touring trip by adolescents creating and managing their holidays.