Brisbane to host Routes Asia in 2018
Brisbane is set to welcome more than 1000 airline, airport and tourism delegates from 100 countries when it plays host to Routes Asia 2018, the leading aviation route development forum for Asia.
A consortium of tourism advocates, including Brisbane Airport Corporation, Brisbane Marketing, Tourism Australia, Tourism and Events Queensland, Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre and Trade and Investment Queensland, combined forces to bring this fiercely sought after conference to Queensland.
Bringing together a range of airlines, including some of the largest carriers from the Asian region, as well as airports and tourism authorities, Routes Asia 2018 promises to deliver significant opportunities for aviation and travel industries.
The event will run over three days from 18- 20 March 2018 at the Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre.
Julieanne Alroe, Brisbane Airport Corporation CEO and Managing Director, said it was an honour for Brisbane to be chosen to host the largest and most important route development event for aviation based companies who wish to conduct business to, from, and within Asia.
“Dozens of influential cities from across Asia bid for the chance to host delegates for the Routes Asia conference and it is a reflection of Brisbane and Queensland’s growing importance and profile that it has been chosen for this event. With Brisbane Airport’s new runway opening in 2020, we are confident this gathering of the region’s key decision makers will strengthen Brisbane’s role as a major gateway into Queensland and the rest of Australia,” Ms Alroe said.
John O’Sullivan, Managing Director Tourism Australia, said, "Having been recognised in recent years by delegates for our destination marketing skills, it's a great honour for ‘Team Australia’ to host this prestigious event in 2018 and demonstrate first hand to the world's route planners exactly why Australia is such a great investment proposition for future aviation development," he said.
Lord Mayor Graham Quirk said securing Routes Asia 2018 is a great coup for Brisbane, giving the City an unprecedented opportunity to showcase our aviation, tourism and business credentials to key decision makers from Asia.
“Brisbane is an emerging New World City and this event is further recognition of our status as a leader in the Asia Pacific. This is also a key outcome of our Brisbane 2022 New World City Action Plan, which acknowledges our visitor economy as a key growth sector and highlights air route development as a priority.”
Tourism and Events Queensland Chief Executive Officer Leanne Coddington said the event reinforced Queensland’s reputation as a destination of choice for significant business events.
“Brisbane, and Queensland, is positioned on the doorstep of the world’s fastest growing region, Asia, and there are immense opportunities for future growth associated with that,” Ms Coddington said.
“Hosting this prominent international forum and some of the region’s most influential airlines brings immediate benefit in these delegates coming to Brisbane, offering the chance to showcasing the inspiring experiences Queensland has to offer.
“Securing new international routes to Queensland offers significant flow-on benefits for the State boosting the visitor economy and supporting jobs,” she said.
Robert O’Keeffe, General Manager of the Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre said being chosen as the venue for Routes Asia 2018 is testament to our world class conference infrastructure.
Mr O’Keeffe said the Centre has an impressive track record of hosting high calibre business events including the very successful 2014 G20 as well as a number of key international aviation conferences.
“We are delighted to be the venue for this event where airlines will decide if they add new flights to Brisbane. It’s exciting to be part of an event which can change Brisbane’s future.”
Notes to Editors: About Routes
For further information contact:
Karen Reeves
Communications & Content Marketing Manager
Routes, UBM EMEA
T: +44 (0)161 234 2721 M: +44 (0)796 6405 105
E: Karen.Reeves@ubm.com