Stands for cycling holidays: Münsterland voted third most popular destination for cycle tourists

The latest survey by the Allgemeiner Deutscher Fahrrad-Club e.V. (ADFC). (ADFC) shows: Münsterland continues to score points when it comes to cycling. A large proportion of cycle tourists therefore voted the region third place in the cycle tour analysis published today. The Münsterland thus defends its ranking from last year and stands right behind Ostholstein and Lake Constance for a relaxed cycling experience.

"It speaks for itself that the Münsterland has always been represented in the top positions for such a long time," says Michael Kösters, general representative and tourism expert at Münsterland e.V. "Because there was a lot of movement in the top ten this year: New regions have entered, others have slipped further down. Münsterland is constantly on the podium." The reason is the good offer for cycle tourists, says Kösters. "On 4,500 kilometres of cycle paths, groups, individual travellers, families or couples will find suitable routes for an excursion, a day trip or a longer cycle tour. In addition, there are picturesque landscapes, beautiful picnic spots, castles, palaces and delicious regional products."

The Allgemeine Deutsche Fahrrad-Club e.V. (ADFC), with more than 200,000 members, is the largest representation of cyclists' interests in Germany and worldwide. Its cycle travel analysis is a representative online survey of more than 10,000 German citizens. The survey took place for the 22nd time in 2020/2021.

Especially in Corona times, the core topic of cycling is an advantage for the region. "Cycling has experienced a real boom since last year, but not only in our region, but nationwide," says Kösters. "Of course, this is not reflected in the devastating tourism figures, but for the overnight guests we were nevertheless able to welcome to Münsterland, and especially the day visitors, the good conditions when it comes to cycling were certainly often a reason to travel." The travel behaviour of people in Germany was also the subject of the ADFC survey: in the Corona year 2020, the number of cycling trips fell by 35 percent, but the number of day trips by bike rose by 40 percent.

Holidaymakers in Münsterland also come precisely for the nature and landscape, says Kösters. "A cycling holiday is the perfect combination of activity and relaxation. It is also self-sufficient, individual and in the fresh air. All things that have once again become significantly more important in Corona times." Kösters also sees the ranking in the cycling travel analysis as a mission: "Of course, we also want to be number 1 when it comes to cycling and in this respect we want to continue to improve. However, this requires a permanent effort and high investments."

One step in this direction, for example, is the upgrading of the 100 Castles Route as part of the comprehensive funding project "Castles and Palaces Region Münsterland". Through targeted infrastructure and marketing measures, the route is to be qualitatively strengthened and marketed more intensively in the coming years. The project has a total volume of 10 million euros. The gradual Münsterland-wide introduction of the cycle tourism hub system in 2021 and 2022 will also help.

www.muensterland.com/radregion
www.adfc.de/artikel/adfc-radreiseanalyse-2021
www.100-schloesser-route.de