Seventeen cross-border tourism initiatives in Belgium and France launched two projects on Tuesday in Péronnes-Lez-Antoing to enhance sustainable mobility and responsible tourism.
The “XTravel Mobility” project aims to create safe and signposted cycling routes and develop infrastructures and services for cyclists and cycle tourists. This includes adding 5,200 kilometres of marked and secure routes to the cross-border cycling network, creating 35 rest and service areas, and developing 100 kilometres of bike paths.
The project also includes management tools and installing counters to measure the number of users and enhance their experience. The announced investment for “XTravel Mobility” is €8 million.
“XTravel Tourism” focuses on enhancing cycle routes and establishing themed cycling itineraries. To do so, long-distance routes such as the “Route de l’Escaut” are created. The “Route de la Mémoire” has been extended into French territory from its origin in West Flanders.
The project also includes creating cycling routes for people with specific needs and new cross-border “node points” connections. One example is the “Route de la Mer à l’Ardenne” which will link two tourist hubs via a route straddling the Franco-Belgian border. The planned investment for “XTravel Tourism” is €4 million.
Route marking is currently underway, with developments scheduled for 2026. Both projects are expected to be completed by 2028.
