A GUIDE has been launched to help Clacks businesses capitalise on growing global interest in cycling.

VisitScotland created the resource for businesses in the wider Forth Valley area as the country prepares to stage the 2023 UCI World Cycling Championships this summer.

Nearby Stirling has been revealed as the host to the Road Time Trail as part of the event and the guide seeks to help ensure that businesses can cater for an influx of cycling enthusiasts of all ages and abilities.

Rob Dickson, VisitScotland director of industry and destination development, said: “This new resource on our VisitScotland.org website will provide a clear and practical guide to help industry understand how to make the most of cycling tourism and the interest generated from the 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships.

“There has never been a better time to experience cycling in Scotland, with new cycling initiatives and experiences being created right across the country, promoting cycling and helping businesses cater for this growing market will benefit communities right across the country. “

On top of the world championships, there are also efforts to create a “world-class active travel culture” and network as part of the Stirling and Clackmannanshire City Region Deal.

As previously reported, this will include the creation of five active travel routes for walking and wheeling, while representatives have also put an emphasis on other supporting infrastructure such as secure storage and showers.

The guide by VisitScotland includes practical advice on how businesses can create a high-quality experience for cyclists, market insights from the latest cycling tourism research, visitor insights, marketing advice on how to attract visitors, cycling tourism trends and other useful resources.

The resource also includes examples of businesses that are already providing experiences or services that could be of interest to cyclists.

Worth an estimated £37billion to the European economy, cycling tourism has grown in popularity in recent years.

In Scotland in 2019, UK overnight visitors who took part in cycling activities spent a total of £266million.

The activity also generates an average of 238,000 page views every year to the national tourism organisation’s visitscotland.com website, with potential visitors seeking inspiration on routes, itineraries and unmissable cycling experiences.

Trudy Lindblade, CEO of the UCI Cycling World Championships, added: “As we prepare to welcome thousands of elite and amateur cyclists and hundreds of thousands enthusiastic cycling fans to Scotland this summer, this is a fantastic opportunity for businesses in Scotland to be part of the biggest cycling event ever.

“This new online guide will help raise awareness of the championships and support the economic benefits that cycling tourism can create for Scotland longer term.”

Visit visitscotland.org/cycling-tourism for the guide.