23 04 2013 Mediterranean Conference Centre 1 SIBIT Concluding

23/04/2013 Mediterranean Conference Centre 1

SIBIT Concluding Seminar 23/04/2013 Mediterranean Conference Centre 2

Objectives of the Project § The submission of a bike tourism proposal in both Malta and Sicily with a view to integrate initiatives whilst taking advantage of synergies between the two tourist systems, namely that of Malta and Sicily § The main objective of this project was to introduce and support joint and standardised infrastructural development and new operational activities in both Malta and Sicily within a natural and rural environment aimed at promoting bike tourism as a form of sustainable tourist development. 23/04/2013 Mediterranean Conference Centre 3

Strategic Fit for MTA The Malta Tourism Authority opted for the SIBIT project since this: § Focused on rural aspect of Malta and Gozo § In line with MTA’s product development strategy for sustainability § Provides a non traditional way of exploring the rich cultural heritage of the Maltese islands § In line with MTA’s proposed marketing strategy as per tourism policy § Shall increase the propensity to promote outdoor activity in the shoulder months § In line with MTA’s strategy to smooth the seasonality pattern 23/04/2013 Mediterranean Conference Centre 4

Deliverables ü Creation of trans-border routes between Malta, Gozo & Sicily ü Modernisation of existing infrastructures ü Adaptation of selected areas within various existing hotel grounds ü Promotion of events organised at a national and international level ü Production of promotional support material 23/04/2013 Mediterranean Conference Centre 5

Partners in the SIBIT project Sicily § Provincia di Agrigento § Provincia di Ragusa § Provincia di Siracusa § Provincia di Trapani § Provincia di Caltanisetta § Polo Universitario di Agrigento Malta § Malta Tourism Authority § Local Councils Association 23/04/2013 Mediterranean Conference Centre 6

Identification of Routes • 2 in Malta – Both starting from Mdina, one going to the North, the other to the South • 1 in Gozo – Circular route 23/04/2013 Mediterranean Conference Centre 7

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Signage of Routes The Local Councils Association – created standard signs indicating the 3 routes – Undertook small infrastructural works along the route 23/04/2013 Mediterranean Conference Centre 10

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Accommodation Establishments Malta Gozo 5* Hotel • Le Meridien St Julians • Kempinski San Lawrenz 4* Hotels • Santana Hotel • Suncrest Hotel • Sunny Coast 23/04/2013 • Calypso Hotel • Downtown Hotel Farmhouses • Baron Group Farmhouses: Ta’ Menzja & The Hamlet Mediterranean Conference Centre 12

Le Meridien Bike Kit Area 23/04/2013 Mediterranean Conference Centre 13

Santana Bike Kit Area 23/04/2013 Mediterranean Conference Centre 14

Suncrest Bike Kit Area 23/04/2013 Mediterranean Conference Centre 15

Sunny Coast Bike Kit Area 23/04/2013 Mediterranean Conference Centre 16

Kempinski Bike Kit Area 23/04/2013 Mediterranean Conference Centre 17

Calypso Hotel Bike Kit Area 23/04/2013 Mediterranean Conference Centre 18

Downtown Hotel 23/04/2013 Mediterranean Conference Centre 19

Baron Group: Ta’ Menzja Bike Kit Area 23/04/2013 Mediterranean Conference Centre 20

Baron Group: The Hamlet Bike Kit Area 23/04/2013 Mediterranean Conference Centre 21

Promotional Initiatives • Local Seminars • Attendance at Fairs • Advertising • Grand Educational Tour Sicily – Malta • Educational visit for Hotels – Sicily 23/04/2013 Mediterranean Conference Centre 22

Local Seminars • Opening Seminar October 2011 • Informational Seminar November 2012 • Closing Seminar April 2013 23/04/2013 Mediterranean Conference Centre 23

Attendance at International Fairs • Expo. Bici in Padova September 2012 • Borsa del Turismo Sportivo October 2012 • London Outdoor Show January 2013 23/04/2013 Mediterranean Conference Centre 24

Expobici di Padova 23/04/2013 Mediterranean Conference Centre 25

Borsa del Turismo Sportivo – Montecatini 23/04/2013 Mediterranean Conference Centre 26

London Outdoor Show 23/04/2013 Mediterranean Conference Centre 27

Advertising • Airmalta Double page spread “Skytime Dec 2012 Edition” Airmalta Inflight magazine • Virtu Ferries 6 months exposure of the SIBIT promotional clips in English and Italian on all journeys 23/04/2013 Mediterranean Conference Centre 28

Advertising in Airmalta Inflight Magazine Advert carried out in ‘Skytime’, the Air Malta magazine 23/04/2013 Mediterranean Conference Centre 29

Advertising on Virtu Ferries

Grand Educational Tour Sicily – Malta - Gozo 15 th – 24 th April 2013 • § § § MTA Overseas Offices sourced 6 guests 1 French blogger 1 Belgian journalist 1 Dutch TO 1 UK TO 2 UK journalists • Sicilian partners sourced 6 guests 2 came down to Malta § 1 UK TO § 1 Italian journalist 23/04/2013 Mediterranean Conference Centre 31

Educational Visit in Sicily – Hotels • Local participating hotels joined the Grand Educational Tour in Sicily so as to: – Get first hand experience of the facilities and services offered by the Sicilian bike hotels – Experience the SIBIT bike routes – Interact with the Tour Operators & Journalists

Other Activities • Nov ’ 11 Call for Expression of interest from hotels • End ’ 11 Selection of 9 accommodation establishments • Feb ’ 12 Setting up of a bike experts team, and identifying 2 routes in Malta and 1 in Gozo 23/04/2013 Mediterranean Conference Centre 33

Other activities • Throughout 2012/13 Site visits to establishments which furnished the bike kit and washbay areas • Jan ’ 13 Delivery of bike kits; Signage put up along routes by LCA 23/04/2013 Mediterranean Conference Centre 34

The Future • The success of the project would depend on the commitment to enhance the product and services for bike tourists by current SIBIT partners along with other interested parties including hotels, bike rental operators, tour operators, other ancillary service providers • We encourage travel agents, tour operators, front-liners in the tourist industry to co-operate with Sicilian handling agents to ensure the medium to long term realisation of Malta and Sicily becoming a two point destination for cyclists • This EU funded project shall be brought to an end on 30 April 2013. Yet, this should be regarded as a platform for future economical benefits to be achieved for players in both destinations. 23/04/2013 Mediterranean Conference Centre 35