The mountain bike event taking place between 14 and 17 June 2018 in Val Gardena represents the highlight of a tourist movement that lasts all summer. The following is an analysis of the economic, environmental, and social impact of the BMW HERO Südtirol Dolomites, which attracts over 20,000 visitors.

On Saturday 16 June, the ninth edition of the BMW HERO Südtirol Dolomites (considered the toughest mountain bike race in the world by industry experts) will return to Selva Val Gardena. The competition has succeeded, year after year, in increasing the number of competing bikers racing on the steep climbs of the Sella Group, so much so that 4,018 participants are expected to kick off the 2018 edition.

An event capable of mobilising so many people, bringing together supporters, suppliers and volunteers, requires some reflection on the tourist and environmental impact for the Dolomites, especially as the race is part of the BMW HERO Bike Festival, an intense weekend dedicated to the world of mountain biking scheduled from 14 to 17 June 2018.

‘Having an event like the HERO is truly exceptional – underlines Günther Prinoth, owner of the Hotel Piccolo in Selva Val Gardena – thanks to the race, a specialised outfit like ours, i.e. focussing on mountain bikes, has the possibility to open the season two weeks in advance, registering a high number of visitors already from mid-June. However, the great value of HERO is that in the period following the race we still welcome a great number of HERO and MTB fans.’

THE HERO AND THE ECONOMIC IMPACT ON THE TERRITORY
In the analysis of an event like BMW HERO Südtirol Dolomites one can distinguish three different areas of sustainability: the first is undoubtedly the economy, whose impact has been estimated at 4 million Euros for the 2017 edition, generated by 8,500 arrivals for a total of 23,000 tourists during the week of the event, with people coming from 45 countries across five continents.

‘Our event also generates jobs and income for employees and suppliers – comments Gerhard Vanzi, creator of the HERO – as well as creating a tax revenue of 805,000 Euros from the event based on tourist presences alone.’

But there’s more: the BMW HERO Südtirol Dolomites contributes to making the Dolomites an ideal destination for two-wheels tourism, increasing its visibility through television broadcasting that reaches 70 countries around the world, on the web and in the media, for a value to the tune of 1.2 billion Euros. The specialised bicycle tourist offer has developed in Val Gardena and in the valleys around the Sella Group since the first edition in 2010,

stimulating the birth of 30 shops and numerous bike rentals, some of which represent a natural continuation in summer of ski rental services during the winter. More than 100 people working as Mountain Bike Guides contribute to those numbers: these are professional figures who have been trained in recent years in the four valleys in the Sella Group (Val Gardena, Alta Badia, Arabba Fodom and Val di Fassa), representing a sign of continuity with the profession of ski teacher.

INVESTMENT IN TOURISM FOR MOUNTAIN BIKERS Last but not least, the practice of mountain biking has led several private companies and local authorities to invest in the construction of new and specific off-road routes for guests who want to pedal, also using the lifts which were originally created for skiing, thus avoiding problematic cohabitation between bikers and lovers of trekking on the same mountain path.

‘The HERO is certainly a very important event for Val Gardena because, in addition to being well organised and opening the season, it contributes to making our territory an ideal destination for cycling lovers and for the world of mountain biking – underlines Judith Schenk, a representative of the Val Gardena Hotel Association – and the event has a more than positive impact for our valley.’

A ‘GREEN SOUTH TYROL’ EVENT The second aspect is related to sustainability and the environment with some factors that minimise the event’s footprint on the territory. The development of the BMW HERO Südtirol Dolomites foresees the use of existing paths and routes without the need for further interventions to the landscape. In addition, once the competition is over, work will be carried out to repair any damage to the tracks and collect waste along the route. Precisely because of these and other precautions, the race is certified ‘green South Tyrol’, a classification obtained by respecting the environment in all processes of the organisation, by the widespread use of natural and biodegradable materials and a commitment to energy saving. It should also be noted that the event doesn’t cause car traffic and produces less waste than a week during the peak season in summer. All elements that make the race a low footprint event.

TEAM SPIRIT BROUGHT TO YOU BY THE HERO The last indicator is the social one, which combines the strong satisfaction of the 10,000 participants among competitors, family and friends with the values of acceptance, identity, and involvement of the resident population. Over 500 volunteers are committed annually to support the weekend, which is an opportunity for sharing and exchange of relationships and experiences between the four ladin valleys. The residents of the three provinces of Bolzano, Trento and Belluno also participate, with 186 competitors at the HERO Marathon and 150 children at the HERO Kids.

‘We believe the BMW HERO Südtirol Dolomites is an event that proves how it is possible to attract new tourists in a sustainable way – concludes Gerhard Vanzi – thanks to an event that, in addition to the competition, also includes numerous fringe events that strengthen the positioning of this tourist destination on the international tourist market.’ Considerations that confirm how the locals hope the event is repeated in the future, and shares its founding spirit, which is to experience the Dolomites in an alternative and sustainable way… just like mountain biking.

INFO: HERO Südtirol Dolomites