Heading to Manila, Philippines, is the 2016 Routes Asia, a conference centered on the world of airline route development, from March 6-8.
The announcement came during a signing ceremony, which took place at the 20th World Route Development Forum in Chicago that cemented the decision: The 14th Routes Asia will be hosted by the Philippine Department of Tourism and co-hosted by Manila International Airport Authority along with their stakeholders Tourism Promotions Board and Mactan-Cebu International Airport Authority.
“We are extremely honored and excited to be given the opportunity to host Routes Asia 2016,” said Ramon R. Jimenez, Jr., secretary, Philippine Department of Tourism. “The Philippines is a strong viable option for staging the largest and most important route development forum in Asia. Trade, investment and tourism in the country have grown very rapidly in the last few years creating numerous opportunities for expanding air routes to major points in Asia and the rest of the world. We owe this strong support to all our stakeholders, who have invested their resources and trust in us to make this work for everybody.”
The event promises to help the host deliver on its objectives to turn the Philippines into one of the top gateways in the region in the near future, and hosting Routes Asia will also provide the Philippines with the opportunity to improve international air connectivity and access for business and inbound tourism as well as expand the frontiers of knowledge on aviation development, an essential driver and prerequisite of competitiveness.
“We are delighted that Routes Asia will be in Manila in 2016. Hosting the event will allow the Philippines to increase air services and visitor numbers at a time when the airports’ planned expansion offers airlines new opportunities. With superb connections to the whole of Asia, one of the fastest growing economies of Southeast Asia and both a modern and rapidly developing infrastructure, the Philippines is the ideal destination to hold Routes Asia in 2016. Furthermore, with ASEAN Open Skies expected in 2015, this event is sure to be full of opportunities for all our community,” stated Katie Bland, director for Routes, UBM Live.
As the capital of the Philippines, Manila serves as the seat of government and the center of financial and economic activities for the entire country. Most of the Philippines’ largest corporations, major banks and various multinational companies are based in the city that contributes to the country’s thriving economy. It is also home to the country’s gateway, the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA), which is linked to over 50 international destinations by more than 30 airlines and has four terminals that accommodate more than 30 million passengers per annum.
