The recently established Malta Exercise Health and Fitness Association (MEHFA), yesterday launched the first edition of Cycle Malta and Gozo, a pocket-sized booklet aimed at those who enjoy cycling as a means of exercise.

The booklet, written and researched by Joe Montebello, an amateur cyclist himself, includes 12 routes – nine around Malta and three in Gozo. All are highlighted for ease of reference, accompanied by step-by-step directions and including route maps with marked attractions especially for tourists. The Gozo tours are especially targeted for the day-visitor.

During the launch, which took place at the Institute for Tourism Studies, the Parliamentary Secretary for Youth and Sport, Clyde Puli thanked the author and MEHFA for their commitment to publish such a booklet “which continues to encourage a sports culture for all”.

“Tourism is a main pillar in our economy and therefore we have to continue exploiting new grounds to continue developing,” Mr Puli said.

The booklet provides guidelines into a different means of sport and promotes effective use of free time rather than being aimed at the professional aspirant.

In his address to journalists, Gino Schiavone, president of MEHFA explained that the association has supported such a launch since “the booklet is in line with the association’s commitment to promote an active and healthy lifestyle through outdoor activities such as exercise and sport”. MEHFA also believes that cycling tourism is yet an unexploited niche which can benefit from the same success as scuba diving.

“This booklet is an ideal tool to promote Malta in such niche markets as in the area of sports tourism,” Mr Schiavone said. In the past days, the association presented this booklet at the University of Worms, Germany during a presentation on sports tourism, for it to be distributed in the country.

MEHFA is being supported by Nestle Fitness and Tip-Top in such exercise and fitness endeavours.

Some of the routes are being featured on the MEHFA website www.mehfa.eu and the booklet is available for sale from MEFHA, 8 Magazines Street, Floriana as well as from hotels, souvenir shops and cycling shops. More information can be acquired via email to [email protected].