Jesper Pørksen
Director at Danish Cycling Tourism (Dansk Cykelturisme) since January 2015. With more than 10 years of experience in the field of tourism and especially cycling tourism Jesper Pørksen has strong competences and deep knowledge in all aspects of cycling tourism development. He started his career as a bicycle touring guide for a German tour operator and has since worked as project manager at both a regional tourism development agency and for the Danish Cyclists’ Federation. Since January 2015 he has been the director of Danish Cycling Tourism.
Danish Cycling Tourism is a non-profit association of public and private partners. Our main purpose is to develop cycling tourism in Denmark. We fulfil our purpose by kick-starting new projects, coordinating various actions and disseminate knowledge and best practices on cycling tourism. We work with both private businesses and public institutions.
Danish Cycling Tourism has great experience in managing large and small scale cycling tourism projects. We have executed both national and international projects, and projects with various scopes. We have great knowledge of all aspects of cycling tourism development – from infrastructure and service development to development of information tools, PR and campaigns.
Danish Cycling Tourism is the EuroVelo Coordination Centre for Denmark from 2016 and onwards.
A new development of cycling tourism
For many years Denmark has been a top destination for cycling. It was one of the first countries with a network of signposted routes, it has a good climate for cycling activities and it is widely recognised and known as a cycling nation. But while the competitors have stepped up, Denmark has for too long rested on its laurels. The route infrastructure needs maintenance and development, the organisation of cycling tourism must be stronger and the product development and marketing must be targeted towards new user groups like daytourers, mountainbikers and racing cyclists.
With a huge investment in cycling tourism in the years 2012-2015 Denmark is getting back on track. Cycling tourism is again on the political agenda both national and in the municipalities. New routes and products are being developed, and we see an increase in visits by cycling tourists. This new development is anchored at Danish Cycling Tourism.
