Digital event formats as a driver for active leisure activities
Lake and Alps connects the regions around Lake Constance, Alpstein, and the Alpine foothills to create a diverse cycling destination. Instead of focusing on a single race or a fixed event date, the region uses LaceUp's digital trophy format to motivate cyclists to get active outdoors over a period of weeks.
The basic principle is simple: defined routes and locations are digitally stored as checkpoints. Participants collect these individually, at their own pace, and within a freely selectable time window. GPS tracking, rankings, and digital evaluations provide motivation, comparability, and a sense of community—without the need for traditional event infrastructure.
More time outdoors thanks to flexible participation
A key advantage of digital event formats is their flexibility. Participation is not tied to a specific day or start block. This significantly lowers the barriers to entry—especially for recreational cyclists, tourists, or everyday cyclists with sporting ambitions.
For Lake and Alps, this means:
- More people exercise regularly outdoors rather than just on event days.
- Routes are consciously chosen and spread out over the season.
- Off-peak times and lesser-known sections of the route are also gaining attention.
The trophy format thus promotes not only sporting activity, but also a conscious engagement with the landscape, region, and infrastructure.
Benefits for the tourism region
For tourism destinations, a digital event format offers several strategic advantages:
Visibility and reach
Digital challenges create recurring points of contact with the region. Rankings, personal statistics, and social sharing options ensure organic reach beyond the active community.
season extension Instead of a one-off event, you create an experience lasting several weeks. Guests stay active longer, return multiple times, or plan additional overnight stays.
Low operational complexity
Since the start, implementation, and evaluation are all done digitally, there are no costs for route closures, personnel, or extensive logistics. The format is scalable and can be used long-term.
Valuable data and insights
Participation figures, route usage, and activity patterns provide valuable information for the further development of services, route planning, and marketing.
Added value for participants and partners
Cyclists enjoy a playful experience with a personal touch. Every ride counts, and progress is measurable and comparable. At the same time, the athletic challenge remains compatible with individual daily routines.
Local partners also benefit:
- Hotels, restaurants, and bicycle service providers are specifically integrated into the routes.
- Digital incentives or rewards increase regional value creation
- Repeated experiences increase emotional attachment to the destination
Digital events as the sustainable future of cycling tourism
The Lake and Alps example shows how digital event formats are more than just a technological add-on. They are an effective tool for motivating people to exercise outdoors in the long term, while at the same time positioning a region as a modern, active destination.
The LaceUp Trophy format successfully combines sport, nature, tourism, and digitalization in a meaningful way—without the stress of an event, but with a lasting impact on the region and community.
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