Carinthia/Klagenfurt (OTS) – Today, Sunday, September 10th, the 25th European Bike Week in Carinthia comes to an end. A week that was not only characterized by bright sunshine, late summer temperatures and enthusiastic Harley guests, but also by a good result for the tourism region of Carinthia and the organizer. Harley-Davidson, Kärnten Werbe and the Villach – Faaker See – Ossiacher See tourism region are very satisfied with how the event went.
“Due to the nice weather, the high level of catching up to do and the good cooperation between the tourism experts and Harley-Davidson, we are getting back to the level of 2019. The return of international guests is particularly pleasing. We received very good feedback from the community about the event and the contract extension. The trips were particularly popular this year due to the great weather. But Villach’s city center and the Draupuls were also very well frequented this year,” said Kärnten Advertising boss Klaus Ehrenbrandtner and Georg Overs, managing director of the Villach – Faaker See – Ossiacher See region, giving a positive summary
Sven Kielgas, event coordinator for Harley-Davidson Europe, is also enthusiastic about a perfect European Bike Week 2023: “25 years of partying in Faak am See – it was properly celebrated and it was simply sensational. We are really happy because our customers, the fans, the guests and we simply had an incredibly great time in Carinthia. As in all previous years, the population gave us a warm welcome. The weather was just wonderful. You could see people in a good mood everywhere, it couldn’t be better!”
10,000 bikes and a spectacular paragliding flight
The traditional highlight was celebrated yesterday with the big parade, which provided impressive images with 10,000 bikes and a start “from the mountain to the lake”. Kolja Rebstock, Vice President of Harley-Davidson for Europe, the Middle East and Africa and Managing Director of the DACH region, paraglided from Mittagskogel almost directly onto his bike. The 10-kilometer-long parade convoy not only thrilled the bikers, including goalkeeper legend Michael Konsel, but also the many Harley fans who gathered along the route. Carinthia’s ski emperor Franz Klemm also insisted on being a guest at the parade and marveling at the shiny chrome bikes.
The year of anniversaries with a great supporting program
2023 is not only a special year for the European Bike Week, Harley-Davidson will celebrate its 120th company anniversary in 2023 and the Harley Owners Group turned 40. To mark the occasion, there was a dedicated vintage car tent on the 40,000 square meter festival site. Another highlight was the Custom Bike Show on Friday. Ford was represented here as the official car partner on the Main Plaza. Other attractions included the newly designed saloon bar, nightly fire shows, the shopping village, concerts with the finest rock & blues, joint trips and a diverse range of restaurants. A varied supporting program such as the “The Lake Rocks” concerts also provided entertainment outside of the Bike Week center in Faak.
European Bike Week secured for Carinthia until 2030
Harley-Davidson, the Villach – Faaker See – Ossiacher See region and Kärnten Werbe signed a new contract for the next 7 years in a celebratory atmosphere in front of the large Harleywood sign on Faaker See on Wednesday, August 6th. The event is therefore guaranteed to take place in the region around Lake Faak until 2030 and will therefore continue to be an important source of overnight stays and added value for the off-season.
“Carinthia has once again proven itself to be the perfect host country,” say Ehrenbrandtner and Overs, delighted with the successful outcome of Bike Week 2023. “We would like to thank all partners, the executive, the authorities and the residents for the great cooperation and are starting the preparations fully motivated for 2024.”
News 2024
From 2024, Velden am Wörthersee will also host an official event under the brand European Bike Week. Velden has also been a popular meeting place for bikers during motorcycle events in the past. For the future, it has now been agreed to coordinate these activities under the umbrella of the European Bike Week. However, the focus and the Harley Village remains on Lake Faaker See. Next year the Bike Week will take place from September 3rd to 8th.
Questions & Contact:
Carinthia advertising
Barbara Tschöscher
T: +43-463-3000-237
E: barbara.tschoescher@kaernten.at
www.kaernten.at
