Global tourism event inspires travellers from around the world

If a picture is worth a thousand words, then Bike4Tourism’s recent global initiative to keep the dream of travel alive by having cyclists from around the world come together to share photos of beautiful places in their local communities could be considered priceless.

On May 30, would-be travellers across destinations ranging from Canada to the Maldives set out for bike rides to capture and share photographs with the goal of inspiring participants about the places, cities, countries and continents they will soon be able to explore again in person.

After learning about the event several months ago, Halifax-based travel agent Shari Tucker knew immediately that she wanted to take part and put in a team.

“Tourism provides jobs for billions of people. It has the ability to raise entire communities out of poverty, gives dignified work to marginalized people, protects heritage sites, conserves nature and vulnerable animals. Tourism is not just a job. For many people it is a lifeline,” says Tucker, the owner of Love the Way You Travel. “This past year, all of that has been taken away, but this event brought many people worldwide together to dream of better days. It felt good to come together for a common cause and to support tourism worldwide.”

The event was based on supporting sustainable causes, promoting sustainable transportation and providing hope for the future of tourism. Organizers hoped to engage 115,000 participants with proceeds going to support environmental conservation charities and aid tourism businesses in financial need following travel restrictions.

“I enjoyed encouraging people from Nova Scotia and beyond to show off their favourite sights in their communities to others around the world and seeing photos from everyday people (rather than influencers) showing their hometowns. We had over 25 people on the Love the Way You Travel team. Most were from Nova Scotia, but also Manitoba and Ontario,” she says. “There were families, solo riders, groups of friends, bike clubs… anyone you could imagine! Some participants were riding their bikes for the first time in years and others were on multi-day treks spanning countries. Being part of the event reminded me of the good in the world, how we all need for a cleaner and better future and how we are all the same but all different in such a beautiful way.”

Tucker points out that the travel and tourism industry has been one of the hardest hit by the COVID-19 pandemic, which is why the event resonated with her.

“1 in 10 people in the world are employed by tourism. If you think of your last vacation and how many people it took to make that happen. Pilots, aircraft mechanics, flight attendants, shuttle bus drivers, taxi drivers, boat captains, butlers, luggage porters, airport immigration staff, hotel cleaning staff, tour guides, waiters and waitresses, artisans at markets, ticket-takers, museum and heritage site experts, safari guides, bike rental shops, wineries… All of these people and their families have been affected by the lack of tourism,” she notes.

Meanwhile, teammate Karen Lively said participating in the event left her with a feeling of accomplishment and aspirations to embark on a bike tour someday.

“It was nice to see so many participate and feature their country,” she adds.