Routes Asia 2014 to Showcase Kuching to the World

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KUCHING, Malaysia, Feb. 6/PRN=KYODO JBN/ --

    Routes Asia, the largest route development forum for the entire Asia

region, will take place in Kuching in the State of Sarawak, Malaysia from 9-11

March 2014. Routes Asia is the meeting place for around 800 delegates

representing over 80 airlines, 250 airports and almost 60 countries. The

hosting of one of Asia's most important civil aviation events is testimony of

the growing importance of Kuching as an international air hub and destination.

    Hosted by the State Government of Sarawak and co-hosted by Malaysia

Airports Holdings Berhad (MAHB), the forum is expected to attract around 100

leaders from the airports and airlines industries, tourism authorities and

policy makers.

    Datuk Amar Abang Haji Abdul Rahman Zohari Bin Tun Datuk Abang Haji Openg,

Minister of Tourism, Sarawak, in announcing the event at a media briefing here,

said, "The hosting of Routes Asia 2014 right after the success of the ASEAN

Tourism Forum 2014 in January augurs well for Kuching's future as an

international air hub and destination. The attention being paid to Kuching and

Sarawak in general with its unique combination of adventure with elements of

nature and culture is long overdue."

    "With an estimated 800 delegates including representation from over 80

airlines who are responsible for making decisions on both new and existing

routes coming here, Kuching and Sarawak as a whole will go all out to attract

more airlines to come here," he added.

    According to Datuk Abang Zohari, "We believe that Sarawak is one of the

great untapped destinations for airlines and we are certain that route-planners

and revenue-optimisers will discover this truth at Routes Asia 2014. We are

looking forward to the opportunity of showcasing our beautiful land, and its

great potential for airlines."

    Tan Sri Bashir Ahmad, Managing Director of MAHB, added, "Routes Asia 2014

is an excellent opportunity for airlines to see for themselves the tremendous

potential of Kuching, both as a travel treasure, and as a springboard into

Borneo and beyond."

    Along with the face-to-face Meetings which form the core of the event,

Routes Asia 2014 will also see a series of Route Exchange Airline Briefings

given by senior airline executives and the Routes Asia Strategy Summit which

will see an impressive line up of senior industry executives. The Routes Asia

Strategy Summit will cover some of the major topics affecting the Asia region,

including "The Future of LCCs in Asia" and "Emerging Outbound Tourism Markets".

    Speakers at the summit include Azran Osman-Rani, CEO of AirAsia X, Andrew

Cowen, Deputy Chief Executive Officer, Hong Kong Express, Dr. Hugh Dunleavy,

Director of Commercial, Malaysia Airlines and Vijay Poonoosamy, VP

International Affairs Etihad amongst others.

    Notes to Editors

    About Routes

    - Routes organises world-renowned airline and airport networking events

      through its regional and global Route Development Forums. Each year,

      there is one global event and one regional event in Asia, Africa, Europe,

      the Americas and CIS respectively. http://www.routesonline.com

    - Routes was founded in 1995 as part of the Manchester UK-based ASM Ltd.,

      a consultancy specialising in the field of route development for

      airports. http://www.asm‐global.com. Routes and ASM are part of the UBM

      Live division of UBM plc.

    - UBM Live connects people and creates opportunities for companies across

      five continents to develop new business, meet customers, launch new

      products, promote their brands and expand their markets. Through   

      premiere brands such as MD&M, CPhI, IFSEC, TFM&A, Cruise Shipping Miami,

      the Concrete Show, the Routes portfolio of events, Airport Cities and

      many others, UBM Live exhibitions, conferences, awards programs,

      publications, websites and training and certification programs are an

      integral part of the marketing plans of companies across more than 20

      industry sectors. http://www.ubmlive.com

    Follow us on twitter: @Routesonline, @TheHUBRoutes, @VictoriaRoutes,

@NLPROU, @airlineroute

    About UBM plc

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     SOURCE: UBM Live Routes Ltd