23/04/2013Mediterranean Conference Centre1

23/04/2013Mediterranean Conference Centre2 SIBIT Concluding Seminar

23/04/2013Mediterranean Conference Centre3 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.

23/04/2013Mediterranean Conference Centre4 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

23/04/2013Mediterranean Conference Centre5 Deliverables Creation of trans-border routes between Malta, Gozo & Sicily Modernisation of existing infrastructures Adaptation of selected areas within various existing hotel grounds Promotion of events organised at a national and international level Production of promotional support material

23/04/2013Mediterranean Conference Centre6 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

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 23/04/2013Mediterranean Conference Centre7

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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 23/04/2013Mediterranean Conference Centre10

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23/04/2013Mediterranean Conference Centre12 Accommodation Establishments Malta 5* Hotel Le Meridien St Julians 4* Hotels Santana Hotel Suncrest Hotel Sunny Coast Gozo 5* Hotel Kempinski San Lawrenz 4* Hotels Calypso Hotel Downtown Hotel Farmhouses Baron Group Farmhouses: Ta’ Menzja & The Hamlet

23/04/2013Mediterranean Conference Centre13 Le Meridien Bike Kit Area

23/04/2013Mediterranean Conference Centre14 Santana Bike Kit Area

23/04/2013Mediterranean Conference Centre15 Suncrest Bike Kit Area

23/04/2013Mediterranean Conference Centre16 Sunny Coast Bike Kit Area

23/04/2013Mediterranean Conference Centre17 Kempinski Bike Kit Area

23/04/2013Mediterranean Conference Centre18 Calypso Hotel Bike Kit Area

23/04/2013Mediterranean Conference Centre19 Downtown Hotel

23/04/2013Mediterranean Conference Centre20 Baron Group: Ta’ Menzja Bike Kit Area

23/04/2013Mediterranean Conference Centre21 Baron Group: The Hamlet Bike Kit Area

Promotional Initiatives Local Seminars Attendance at Fairs Advertising Grand Educational Tour Sicily – Malta Educational visit for Hotels – Sicily 23/04/2013Mediterranean Conference Centre22

Local Seminars Opening Seminar October 2011 Informational Seminar November 2012 Closing Seminar April /04/2013Mediterranean Conference Centre23

Attendance at International Fairs ExpoBici in Padova September 2012 Borsa del Turismo Sportivo October 2012 London Outdoor Show January /04/2013Mediterranean Conference Centre24

23/04/2013Mediterranean Conference Centre25 Expobici di Padova

23/04/2013Mediterranean Conference Centre26 Borsa del Turismo Sportivo – Montecatini

23/04/2013Mediterranean Conference Centre27 London Outdoor Show

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 23/04/2013Mediterranean Conference Centre28

23/04/2013Mediterranean Conference Centre29 Advertising in Airmalta Inflight Magazine Advert carried out in ‘Skytime’, the Air Malta magazine

Advertising on Virtu Ferries

23/04/2013Mediterranean Conference Centre31 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

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

23/04/2013Mediterranean Conference Centre33 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

23/04/2013Mediterranean Conference Centre34 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

23/04/2013Mediterranean Conference Centre35 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 Yet, this should be regarded as a platform for future economical benefits to be achieved for players in both destinations.