Sustainable mobility practices in Tuscany, Italy: the tyrrhenian cycling path boosting cooperative economic development through new tourism practices

Abstract

The tourism industry is growing fast, albeit it is acknowledged that tourism practices are frequently a threat to the environment and to the world's ecosystems. Sustainable tourism practices are emerging as an alternative to mass tourism and in this context new trends in cycletourism have emerged. This paper focuses on cycletourism in Italy, namely in the region of Tuscany. A new demand for slower and more sustainable tourism has boosted new economic opportunities. We thus present the Tyrrhenian Cycling Path project, involving three different Italian regions and municipalities in the Tuscany region. This new eco-compatible infrastructure will be able to connect different areas of interest for international and national tourists, enhancing the whole touristic area, targeting new flows of more responsible travellers and introducing new technologies in the field of recycling materials. The aim of the authors is to introduce a project that is still in development but has all the indicators for becoming a strong engine of change and progress, both in an economic but also in a social and environmental way. Together with the creation of new economic activities and jobs, this project aims to create a new collective conscience on sustainable practices and innovative solutions to tackle the exploitation of both the natural and cultural heritages with mass tourism.