Plenary Panel Discussion - What can political leadership bring to cycling tourism?
| Thursday, October 1, 2026 |
| 9:35 AM - 10:30 AM |
| Progress |
Details
The European Union’s first-ever Sustainable Tourism Strategy is to be announced in the autumn. Could it benefit cycling tourism? At the crossroads of transport and tourism, cycling as a mode of transport and leisure has already received the highest recognition with the European Declaration on Cycling. As European institutions finally acknowledge the benefits of cycling, local leadership has always been a key factor to support and secure its growth. This panel discussion will be a dialogue among different levels of government: from the European Union to national tourism boards and regional institutions, all are involved in building a bright future for cycling tourism.
Speaker
Laurianne Krid
European Cyclists' Federation
Moderator
Biography
Laurianne Krid has been the CEO of the European Cyclists’ Federation (ECF) since September 2025, advocating for more and better cycling for all across Europe. A truly multimodal citizen, she brings extensive experience in sustainable mobility, road safety, and consumer rights. ECF combines strong advocacy at EU level with hands-on delivery through EU-funded projects, the development of the EuroVelo cycling route network, and the organisation of the flagship Velo-city conference series.
Maja Bakran Marcich
European Commission
Panel speaker
Biography
Maja Bakran Marcich has been the Deputy Director-General of the Directorate-General Mobility and Transport (MOVE), European Commission, since 2016. She is responsible for coordinating the activities related to investment, innovative and sustainable transport, in support of the Commission President’s priorities. Before, she held various positions in the Croatian Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs, including Assistant Minister for Europe.
Yvonne Nassar
CEO
Netherlands Board of Tourism & Conventions
Panel speaker
Biography
Yvonne Nassar is the CEO of the Netherlands Board of Tourism & Conventions (NBTC). With extensive international experience in the hospitality sector, she is dedicated to the sustainable development of the Netherlands as a destination. Previously, she was a member of the management team at the Van Gogh Museum, founded the Marketing & Innovation department at RAI Amsterdam, and worked as Director of Marketing Europe for Dolce Hotels & Resorts in Paris.
Enzo Volponi
Director
Autonomous Region of Friuli Venezia Giulia
Panel speaker
Biography
Enzo Volponi serves as Director of the Public Transport, Mobility and Logistics Department of the Autonomous Region of Friuli Venezia Giulia.
He oversees the planning, programming and implementation of the region's 1,300 km of cycle paths, funding to municipalities for local-level interventions, experimental projects, and the promotion of intermodality between cycling and public transport.
Over the past year, his department has overseen the construction of 60 km of the Trieste-Lignano Sabbiadoro-Venice cycle path (part of the EuroVelo cycle route network.
