Gravelbike Holidays
Gravel is more than just a trend – it’s changing the way we think about cycling holidays
Gravel biking brings together what were long thought of as separate worlds: road and gravel, competitive riding and exploration, ambitious tours and spontaneous detours. It is precisely this freedom that makes gravel bike holidays so appealing to a new generation of cycle travellers.
A new cycling sport. New opportunities for tourism.
This is also creating new opportunities in the tourism sector. Regions can rethink their well-known cycling offerings, allow visitors to experience existing routes in a new light, and guide guests along routes that have previously received little attention from tourists. Hotels, in turn, can reach a target audience seeking individuality, a connection with nature and authentic travel experiences.
MTS Austria recognised this trend early on. In 2024, Gravelbike Holidays was established as a separate division because, in our view, gravel cycling is more than just another variation of the sport: it is a new way of discovering regions by bike and of conceiving cycling holidays.
A new target audience needs new offerings
Gravel cyclists think differently to traditional road cycling or mountain biking enthusiasts. They don’t always plan their rides down to the last detail; they enjoy seeking out lesser-known routes and combine the sporting challenge with scenery, cuisine and regional experiences.
This is precisely where the opportunity lies for hotels and destinations.
Gravelbike Holidays works with its partners to develop packages that perfectly capture this new way of cycling. These include, for example:
- Gravel routes on back roads, gravel tracks and old footpaths
- Tours that combine nature and cultural experiences
- Hosts who understand gravel cyclists and their needs
- Appropriate bike services and infrastructure
- personalised tour recommendations rather than rigid itineraries
- Authentic experiences away from the well-known cycle routes
- Communication and marketing tailored to the target audience
Not every region needs to become a gravel mecca. But every region can discover what makes its gravel potential special.
Why gravel cycling is of interest to hotels and destinations
Gravelbike Holidays is aimed at partners who do not simply wish to add another cycling component to their offering, but who want to capitalise on the potential of gravel cycling and enhance their profile in the long term.
- Reaching new guests
Gravel appeals to a new and growing target group who travel actively and value nature, individuality and regional experiences. - Sharpening your own profile
Hotels and destinations can position themselves early on in a still-emerging market and use gravel as a unique selling point (USP). - Making the most of existing offerings
Many regions already have an extensive network of side roads, farm tracks and gravel routes. Gravel turns these into new tourist experiences. - Tapping into new travel seasons
Gravel is ideal for spring and autumn – precisely when many traditional summer sports activities reach their seasonal limits. - Showcasing regional specialities
Vineyards, alpine pastures, lakes, forests, villages, historic trails and local food producers all become part of the tour. The route itself becomes an experience.
Those who develop gravel cycling today are positioning themselves for tomorrow’s cycling audience.
Gravelbike Holidays was launched in 2024 because we are convinced that:
gravel biking will bring about a lasting change in cycle tourism.
Developing gravel bike tourism together
Gravel Bike Holidays & MTS Austria
At MTS Austria, we bring decades of experience in developing cycle hotels, cycling programmes and destinations. Gravelbike Holidays combines this expertise with a trend that is only just emerging on the international stage.
We’re not waiting for gravel cycling to become the norm. Together with our partners, we’re actively helping to shape this new, dynamic market.
Through our website, social media and media partnerships, we are specifically promoting the Gravelbike Holidays brand within the gravel cycling community.
Our members benefit from, amongst other things:
- 41 certified gravel hotels and 31 gravel regions
- 4 countries in the Alpine region (AT, IT, SLO, D)
- around 56,000 website sessions annually
- around 120,000 page views
- A blog and online magazine in 2 languages, with an average session duration of 2 minutes 15 seconds
- Exclusive media partnerships and a strong presence in international road cycling media (annual advertising value of around €80,000)
- High-quality print catalogues with a total print run of 100,000 copies
- over 16,000 newsletter subscribers, 37% average click-through rate
- High social media reach (Facebook: 1,000,959, Instagram: 551,760)
- Selected influencer partnerships
- international trade fair appearances (CMT Stuttgart, Free Munich, Cycle Week Zurich, …)
From the initial idea to specialising in gravel cycling
After all, gravel cycling isn’t something that happens on paper. It happens outdoors.
Gravelbike Holidays provides the expertise to develop a unique gravel offering – for hotels and regions.
- Discovering potential: We analyse trails, landscapes and regional characteristics to identify the potential for a distinctive gravel offering.
- Developing routes: We link existing paths to create varied gravel experiences full of character.
- Creating packages: Together with hotels and tourism partners, we develop specific packages – from bike-friendly hotel facilities and tour services to regional gravel experiences.
- Bringing gravel to life: We bring together routes, hosts and regional experiences – so that individual offerings come together to form a genuine gravel experience.
- Reaching gravel guests: We position hotels and regions as gravel destinations and, using relevant content and channels, bring them right to where guests are looking for inspiration and holiday ideas.
Gravelbike Holidays
Ready for the next generation of cycle tourism
Martin Baumann
Your contact person
Would you like to find out what potential gravel cycling offers for your hotel or destination?
Then let’s have a chat.
Together, we’ll analyse your requirements, develop a suitable gravel strategy and highlight the opportunities this presents for your tourism offering.