Title: It's getting tight in the Alps - challenges and implications of the e-mountain bike boom for sustainable tourism management

Authors: Christian Moesch; Samuel Christen; Tim Ströbel

Addresses: Institute of Sport Science, University of Bern, Bremgartenstrasse 145, 3012 Berne, Switzerland ' OSZ Mett-Bözingen, Beaulieuweg 2, 2504 Biel, Switzerland ' Marketing and Sport Management, University of Bayreuth, Universitätsstraße 30, 95447 Bayreuth, Germany

Abstract: This study analyses the challenges and implications of technological development in mountain-bike sports for Alpine tourism destinations. We investigate the motivations of e-mountain bikers in tourism destinations and derive implications for tourism managers to handle dynamic technological developments in a sustainable manner. A mixed-method design including qualitative in-depth interviews with relevant actors and a quantitative survey with 175 e-mountain bikers was applied. The e-bike boom offers potential and challenges for sustainable tourism management in Alpine destinations. Tourism managers must develop diverse, participatory, and nature-friendly concepts as well as collaborations with nearby destinations and recreational areas to control the flow of tourists within ecologically sensitive areas.

Keywords: e-bike; e-mountain biking; e-MTB; mountain biking; MTB; technological development; tourism trends; sustainable tourism management; responsibility; people planet profit; destination management; destination management organisation; DMO; destination marketing; Alpine destination.

DOI: 10.1504/IJSMM.2022.121257

International Journal of Sport Management and Marketing, 2022 Vol.22 No.1/2, pp.73 - 95

Received: 24 Feb 2021
Accepted: 16 Sep 2021

Published online: 02 Mar 2022 *

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