Motives and constraints to bike tourism in Greece: “the Go-bike” project

IntroductionBike tourism is one of the fast-developing alternative forms of tourism since it can satisfy the main pillars of sustainability (economic, social, and environmental). The current study is part of a larger funded project (GoBike) and aims to profile bike tourists in Greece, examine the mo...

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Main Authors: Apostolia Ntovoli, Thomas Karagiorgos, Glykeria Myrovali, Eleni Anoyrkati, Sousana Papadopoulou, Iason Tamiakis, Kostas Alexandris
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2024-11-01
Series:Frontiers in Sports and Active Living
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fspor.2024.1475533/full
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author Apostolia Ntovoli
Apostolia Ntovoli
Thomas Karagiorgos
Glykeria Myrovali
Eleni Anoyrkati
Sousana Papadopoulou
Iason Tamiakis
Kostas Alexandris
author_facet Apostolia Ntovoli
Apostolia Ntovoli
Thomas Karagiorgos
Glykeria Myrovali
Eleni Anoyrkati
Sousana Papadopoulou
Iason Tamiakis
Kostas Alexandris
author_sort Apostolia Ntovoli
collection DOAJ
description IntroductionBike tourism is one of the fast-developing alternative forms of tourism since it can satisfy the main pillars of sustainability (economic, social, and environmental). The current study is part of a larger funded project (GoBike) and aims to profile bike tourists in Greece, examine the motives and constraints to tourism participation, and show the value of using technology as a means of promoting bike tourism.MethodsThe data was collected through a quantitative study, with one hundred and five individuals who had experience with bike tourism activities, with the use of an online questionnaire. Items were used to measure socio-demographics, motives, constraints, involvement, and attitudes toward a smartphone application.ResultsThe results indicated that “Nature”, “Health”, “Bike eco-friendly place” and “Interesting places” were the most important motives. On the other hand, the lack of “Guides”, “Appropriate Routes” “Bike tourism Programs” and “Limited Information” were reported as the most important barriers. The bikers reported that technology can facilitate their decision to do bike tourism activities.DiscussionA smartphone application should include several attributes the most important of which are the “Elevation difference”, the “warnings of obstacles/risks”, “the level of difficulty”, “the bike distance” and the “condition of the routes”.
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spelling doaj-art-3758a79f2ba648a695295870b1d5af3e2025-08-20T02:14:45ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Sports and Active Living2624-93672024-11-01610.3389/fspor.2024.14755331475533Motives and constraints to bike tourism in Greece: “the Go-bike” projectApostolia Ntovoli0Apostolia Ntovoli1Thomas Karagiorgos2Glykeria Myrovali3Eleni Anoyrkati4Sousana Papadopoulou5Iason Tamiakis6Kostas Alexandris7Department of Physical Education and Sport Sciences, Frederick University, Limassol, CyprusLaboratory of Management of Sports Recreation and Tourism, Department of Physical Education and Sport Science, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, GreeceLaboratory of Management of Sports Recreation and Tourism, Department of Physical Education and Sport Science, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, GreeceCentre for Research and Technology Hellas (CERTH)/Hellenic Institute of Transport (HIT), Thessaloniki, GreeceCoventry University Services, Coventry University, Coventry, United KingdomDepartment of Nutritional Science and Dietetics, International Hellenic University (IHU), Thessaloniki, GreeceTero Consulting, Thessaloniki, GreeceLaboratory of Management of Sports Recreation and Tourism, Department of Physical Education and Sport Science, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, GreeceIntroductionBike tourism is one of the fast-developing alternative forms of tourism since it can satisfy the main pillars of sustainability (economic, social, and environmental). The current study is part of a larger funded project (GoBike) and aims to profile bike tourists in Greece, examine the motives and constraints to tourism participation, and show the value of using technology as a means of promoting bike tourism.MethodsThe data was collected through a quantitative study, with one hundred and five individuals who had experience with bike tourism activities, with the use of an online questionnaire. Items were used to measure socio-demographics, motives, constraints, involvement, and attitudes toward a smartphone application.ResultsThe results indicated that “Nature”, “Health”, “Bike eco-friendly place” and “Interesting places” were the most important motives. On the other hand, the lack of “Guides”, “Appropriate Routes” “Bike tourism Programs” and “Limited Information” were reported as the most important barriers. The bikers reported that technology can facilitate their decision to do bike tourism activities.DiscussionA smartphone application should include several attributes the most important of which are the “Elevation difference”, the “warnings of obstacles/risks”, “the level of difficulty”, “the bike distance” and the “condition of the routes”.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fspor.2024.1475533/fullbike tourismbarriersmotivationinvolvementtechnologymobile phone application
spellingShingle Apostolia Ntovoli
Apostolia Ntovoli
Thomas Karagiorgos
Glykeria Myrovali
Eleni Anoyrkati
Sousana Papadopoulou
Iason Tamiakis
Kostas Alexandris
Motives and constraints to bike tourism in Greece: “the Go-bike” project
Frontiers in Sports and Active Living
bike tourism
barriers
motivation
involvement
technology
mobile phone application
title Motives and constraints to bike tourism in Greece: “the Go-bike” project
title_full Motives and constraints to bike tourism in Greece: “the Go-bike” project
title_fullStr Motives and constraints to bike tourism in Greece: “the Go-bike” project
title_full_unstemmed Motives and constraints to bike tourism in Greece: “the Go-bike” project
title_short Motives and constraints to bike tourism in Greece: “the Go-bike” project
title_sort motives and constraints to bike tourism in greece the go bike project
topic bike tourism
barriers
motivation
involvement
technology
mobile phone application
url https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fspor.2024.1475533/full
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