Long-distance trekking routes, hiking and cycling paths create economic opportunities for inland areas through a “multiplier effect,” as they generate two kinds of employment impact: direct and indirect as described by “Trail Towns from Scratch: How Small Communities Can Revive Their Economy Through Trails”.

Direct employment includes roles such as trail managers, guides, shuttle services, bike mechanics, hotel and restaurant staff, all the services that benefit directly from hikers and bikers.

Indirect jobs are less visible, but they are just as important. When trails make a place more livable and vibrant, they attract entrepreneurs, remote workers, and new residents. Grocery stores, local producers, and service businesses grow as the local population becomes more diverse. Trails help create the kind of environment where people want to live and invest, and that’s where rural economic resilience begins.

This is why every new job linked to outdoor recreation generates additional jobs throughout the local economy. Trails don’t just create income; they help keep it circulating within the community. And, above all, walking is good for you, as reminded by World Health Day, celebrated on April 7, highlighting movement as a key element of good health.

The demand from tourists seeking walking-based experiences is growing every year, in terms of both volume and variety. Data from Europe’s most popular route, the Camino de Santiago, confirms that in the past 20 years, the number of walkers has grown by over 400%, and in the last 10 years by 120%. Also, the Italian Via Francigena continues to show steady year-on-year growth, with 19,843 credentials distributed in 2025, up by over 5,200 from 2024, reflecting increasing demand. The route is becoming more international, with pilgrims from 58 countries and a sharp rise in visitors from the United States and beyond Europe. At the same time, the profile of walkers is diversifying, with a strong presence of younger age groups (25–34 at 21.7%) alongside traditional segments. Overall, the Via Francigena is evolving into a more global, younger, and year-round tourism phenomenon, confirming its growing appeal in the slow tourism sector.

The European Trails organization also notes that well-maintained trails support public health, cultural identity, and the protection of nature and climate, partly by involving businesses in training and development programs that help them take part in projects designed to meet the growing and evolving demand for walking experiences. This is exactly what the Detour project does with its “call for collaborative projects” supporting SMEs operating along the Lycian Way in Türkiye, the Sultan’s Trail in Bulgaria, the Via Francigena in Italy, and the Olympus Trails in Greece.

[Credits: AEVF]