A necessary premise: in discussing tourism in the US—and cycling tourism in particular— we don't even intend to touch on the political and social aspects . However, we cannot ignore the fact that we are talking about a country undergoing profound transformation, regardless of its leadership, as evidenced by those who rode through well before the last presidential elections.
A recovering market, despite everything
That said, it's clear that the country that serves as the benchmark for the entire West is currently viewed with some doubt by those planning a vacation in the US. But what is the current state of tourism in the US? Ivana Di Stasio , Booking Supervisor & Product Development Manager at Going, provides the answer.
"Right now," he says, "we're seeing an interesting recovery, after a few weeks of total disruption due to the well-known international issues . The United States is a leading long-haul destination for our market.
Looking more specifically at cycle tourism, it's a very interesting topic because generally, when you think of the USA, the quintessential type of travel is the "fly and drive" type, so you think of the car. On the other hand, it's a nation that bases its economic strength on industrial development, but it's also a country very devoted to outdoor activities . There's a system of national parks spread across the country that are very diverse, so cycle tourism is certainly another very interesting component of a trip to the United States because there are so many highly developed bike trails.
50 states, one continent
When choosing an American two-wheeled trip, there are a few things to consider: " First and foremost, we need to consider the climate, because we're talking about a nation as large as a continent, which therefore experiences different climate phases . So, if I think of an Italian traveler, they have different accustomed conditions than an American who travels within their own country, the climate issue absolutely needs to be considered."
When you think of the United States , the first thing that comes to mind is boundless space. Taking into account the different climates, which would be considered the top destination for cyclists? " Napa Valley comes to mind, one of the bike paths I've personally explored . We're in the region north of San Francisco, California's wine country, where there's a bike path over 70 kilometers long that passes through all the vineyards. The path is popular for two reasons: because it's a scenic route with extraordinary scenery, and because, climatically, it's the part of California that almost always offers good weather, ideal for tackling even in winter."
Cycling in the land of wine
"Furthermore, since it passes all these highly regarded, world-renowned wineries, a bike is ideal for tackling the route rather than driving, considering that Americans are very strict when they're drinking ; you can't drive at all, which is another reason why it's a very popular route. This is also thanks to strong tourism promotion."
The American dream has historically been defined by the coast-to-coast journey, but cycling across the US is certainly no easy feat; we're talking about an epic adventure: "There are also routes that cross the entire United States from east to west, but they're extremely difficult because there aren't any bike paths everywhere. So my advice: if an Italian traveler wants to cycle in the US, a good place to start is this Napa Valley route. Bikes can also be rented locally, and there are many companies that provide bikes and equipment . Above all, it's a region that lends itself perfectly to this type of slow-paced vacation."
Not all the US is the same…
How are US cyclists perceived? "Americans, like Canadians, are very passionate about outdoor activities and are accustomed to living in the open air, from extreme competitive sports to enjoying nature . However, we must keep in mind that we're talking about 50 states. The same vocation isn't found everywhere, but the same could be said for Italy. There are areas that are better equipped and more conveniently located, and others where it's less common."
This means, however, that there is a certain market for cycle tourism in the US, almost as a response to the many people who come to discover our region from there: " What we get a lot of requests for are full-day cycling activities, and we offer this in those parts of the US where this type of vocation is present . For example, we offer cycling excursions in San Francisco, but also in Chicago, and in Santa Monica, where there's a beautiful bike path on the beach that connects the town of Santa Monica to Benny's Beach. Those who are passionate about cycle tourism sometimes ask us to experience the city by bike, it happens very often."
The market is therefore recovering, thanks in part to the economic situation and the dollar-euro exchange rate, which has once again become quite favorable for those living on this side of the Atlantic: "There are still some excellent offers this summer, especially for direct flights between Italy and the US. There's excellent availability, and this also brings fares down significantly. A flight to the United States isn't among the most expensive destinations you can imagine... "
