Harkány, 24 June 2026 – How can cycling tourism become accessible to a wider range of people while also contributing to the development of local communities? This question was at the heart of the final conference of the Inclusive Border Cycling (IBC) project, titled “How to Create an Inclusive and Sustainable Cycling Destination in Practice?”. Held on 23 June 2026 in Harkány, Hungary, the conference brought together partners, experts, and representatives of various organisations from across the Danube Region.
The project, which brought together 16 partners from eight countries, has demonstrated in recent years that the best tourism products are those created together with people and for people. Therefore, project partners developed solutions that connect sustainable mobility, local cultural heritage, and the active involvement of communities in shaping tourism offers.
One of the project’s key achievements is the Transnational Inclusive Cycling Products Model (TICPM), presented at the conference by Petra Klanšek, Project Manager at Iskriva Institute. The model provides a practical framework for developing cycling experiences that are not only attractive to visitors, but also accessible, inclusive, and closely connected to local environments.
A distinctive feature of the model is that it does not view vulnerable groups merely as users of tourism services, but as active co-creators of tourism stories and experiences. This approach opens up new opportunities for developing tourism based on cooperation, equal opportunities, and authentic local experiences. “Through cross-border cooperation and the involvement of local communities, we can create cycling products that are inclusive, sustainable, and truly reflect the identity of individual Danube Region areas,” emphasises Klanšek.
After more than two years, the project is coming to an end. The final conference demonstrated that inclusive tourism is not merely a trend, but an important development direction for the future. The results of the Inclusive Border Cycling project provide a strong foundation for continued cooperation between regions and for creating tourism products that are accessible and attractive to all.
At Iskriva Institute, we are proud to have been part of a story contributing to a more open, inclusive, and sustainable development of cycling tourism in the Danube Region.
