The partnership between the MTB stage race and #InEmiliaRomagna paves the way for an ambitious future: Appenninica will be a showcase for outdoor and active tourism in the Emilia-Romagna Apennines
Photo: The Outdoor Lab
Since its inception, the Appenninica MTB Stage Race adventure has been characterized by a clear mission: to bring into the spotlight an extraordinary Region like the Apennines of Emilia-Romagna, often overlooked in the scenario of the the main tourist destinations, and help shaping its identity as a chosen area for the world of mountain biking. With its high technical and organizational level, Appenninica’s storytelling and communication has enhanced the authentic spirit of the Apennines: its beauty and unspoiled nature, the people’s hospitality, and the genuineness of its food.
In view of its third edition, scheduled from September 12th to 18th, 2021, Appenninica looks to further raise the bar thanks to the partnership with Regione Emilia-Romagna and #InEmiliaRomagna, the brand of the Emilia-Romagna tourist board. This agreement recognizes the Appenninica’s efforts and outcomes, paving the way for a more ambitious vision in line with the Region’s strategy to promote the major sporting events. In recent months in Emilia-Romagna, Imola hosted the World Road Cycling Championship in September and the F1 Grand Prix in November, while Misano Adriatico was the venue of two MotoGP Grand Prix in September. On the other hand, the Italian Football SuperCup between Juventus and Napoli was played in Reggio Emilia on January 20th, 2021.
Emilia-Romagna found in Appenninica a wonderful showcase to promote the beauty of its mountains and give voice to these territories’ reawakening, to which the boost of the summer tourism is crucial. Not by chance, the 2021 Appenninica’s course visits three renowned Winter Sports resorts, now more and more committed towards the summer and outdoor sports offer: Corno alle Scale, Monte Cimone and Cerreto Laghi.
Appenninica’s approach is now ready to make a leap in ambition, thanks to the support and contribution of Emilia-Romagna.
“Once again, Emilia-Romagna confirms itself as a land of sports – said Gianmaria Manghi, Head of the Presidency Political secretariat of Emilia-Romagna, “capable of hosting events of every disciplines, thanks to its facility, organizational and hospitality system. As an event, Appenninica is growing and becoming increasingly popular among mountain bike fans. We want to support this event because it is a perfect fit with the structural action promoted by the Region to support our mountains, with the goal of relaunching the Apennines for good, as a place to be experienced and discovered in every dimension. Our mountains offer a wide range of possibilities, ready to match the demands of a large target: from natural and emotional tourism to sports, from wine and food experiences to cultural and landscapes itineraries.”
Photo: The Outdoor Lab
The Emilia-Romagna Apennines have promoted proximity tourism for years, encouraging people to discover unexplored places without facing significant distances. As a consequence of the international juncture, in 2020 many people chose the Apennines for their holidays or weekend trips, appreciating their beauty and genuine hospitality. The same feelings are also shared by the best bikers in the world at the Appenninica MTB Stage Race, who also spread the word on their experience through their network in different areas of the World. The strength of Appenninica is combining a high-profile sporting event with the area’s stories and traditions, telling the heart of Apennines.
Thanks to a well-established and close-knit organizational structure, and the teamwork with the hosting venues, Appenninica supports these locations’ efforts in the resilient challenge to find new ways of tourism and enhance their facilities and overall tourism offer. With this new partnership, the project will find new energy and support, strengthening its role as an economic driver for the Apennines and Emilia-Romagna. Through Appenninica’s valorization and a stronger synergy with local authorities, the visibility and recognizability of these territories worldwide will be strengthened, on the way towards the creation of a real territorial brand.
“The territorial partnership with Emilia-Romagna will be instrumental to further develop our event, and therefore support the Emilia-Romagna Apennines’ development project. In the past editions, the athletes’ feedbacks show how much appreciation these areas gather, and that they have a real opportunity to become attractive for active tourists from all over the World. We hope to significantly contribute to this goal“, explained Appenninica MTB Stage Race organizers Beppe Salerno and Milena Bettocchi.