Routes is coming to Berlin 2nd. to 4th. of october 2011
The Routes concept is simple but unique: pre-arranged one-to-one meetings between airlines, airports, tourism authorities and economic development agencies, combined with other formal and informal networking opportunities, provide the ideal platform through which to develop new air services.
Routes recognises the vital interdependence between each of these stakeholders and strives to serve the entire route development community by bringing them together and facilitating discussions between the key decision-makers.
At Routes, they believe that the key to successful route development lies in the changing of people’s perceptions and capturing the interest and imagination of route development decision-makers, be they airlines or airports. In a truly global era, growing air networks is one of the most effective ways to rapidly develop an airport, a region and a country.
Routes has grown from the first event in Cannes in 1995, which was held without a host, to having six events all over the world in 2011, all of which have the benefit of input from a host. This truly reflects both the increasing importance of the airline/airport relationship within route development and the role of the event Host in creating a unique experience.
Global economic recovery is far from certain and airports and regions will still be locked in a crucial fight, not just to win new routes but also how to ensure existing traffic is protected and nurtured. Routes can play a vital role in facilitating this.
Hosting a Routes event provides a unique opportunity for a destination to showcase its airport, its city and its country to the air service decision-makers of the world. It demonstrates the depth of commitment to positive airline relations and can become a landmark and a catalyst in a destination’s entire route development strategy. It also demonstrate to an airport or destinations staff, stakeholders and region, the vital importance that air service development is in growing tourism and influencing economic development.
Joel Tkach, Manager of Passenger Marketing at Vancouver Airport Authority, World Routes Host 2010, recognised the significant value for money offered by hosting the event, saying “Vancouver Airport Authority’s investment in hosting World Routes is similar to what I used to spend on annual California television advertising when I worked for the Provincial Tourism Authority. In my opinion, the impact hosting World Routes has on driving air service development (that leads to higher tourism levels and other economic benefits) outweighs the benefit of a traditional ad campaign.”
Routes also offers an ideal opportunity for Hosts to showcase their newest developments. This year’s World Routes Hosts, Berlin Airports, are keen to give the route development community a preview of their new airport development. Dr. Rainer Schwarz, CEO of Berlin Airports, has noted that “The BBI will be one of the most advanced airports in Europe and with double the capacity. This will make Berlin an ideal gateway for new intercontinental routes to Europe. With World Routes in Berlin, the international trade public will have the opportunity to form their own impression of the new Airport Berlin Brandenburg International before it opens.”
With a record number of attendees already confirmed World Routes in Berlin will help attending airlines, airports and tourism authorities to seek out new opportunities, build and negotiate on existing air services and network with industry decision makers. World Routes is a truly global event – the annual meeting place for the world’s airports, airlines and tourism authorities and the largest event entirely focused on route development.
For further information and to register for World Routes and all other Routes events, visit www.routesonline.com.
