Routes Americas Officially Handed over to El Salvador

AsiaNet 52092

CARTAGENA DE INDIAS, Colombia, Feb. 13, 2013 /PRN=KYODO JBN/ --

     After a record breaking event in Cartagena, which saw over 400 delegates

in attendance Sociedad Aeroportuaria de la Costa S.A (SACSA) have handed the

event over to El Salvador the host destination of the 7th Routes Americas event

which will take place in early 2014.

    The Honourable Minister of Tourism Mr. Jose Napoleon Duarte Duran was

instrumental in securing the hosting of the 2014 event which will welcome the

region's aviation industry leaders to El Salvador and show what the country can

offer as a tourist destination as well as its great potential for business.

    Speaking during the handover ceremony which took place today in Cartagena

at the 6th Routes Americas event, Ms. Sandra Trujillo Velez, Honorary Consul to

El Salvador said: "For El Salvador it will be an honour to host this great

event in 2014, and we expect to see all of you next year in our country so you

can experience the warmth of our people."

    "After such a successful event here in Cartagena we are eagerly awaiting

next year's event," said Nigel Mayes, VP & Commercial for Routes. Mayes

continued: "Routes Americas has potential for even more growth and we are again

expecting record numbers to come to El Salvador. We are delighted to be taking

Routes Americas to this fast emerging tourist destination with its impressive

record of adding a new international air service every year since 2009. Our

delegates will be able to see all that El Salvador has to offer and come to one

event and discuss market opportunities for the entire Americas region."

    El Salvador is the smallest and the most densely populated country in

Central America and transfer time from place to place does not exceed 30

minutes. It is a versatile country which combines ancient culture with modern

life and mixes business with nature. Since El Salvador adopted the US Dollar as

its legal currency in 2001 it has become an international tourist destination

for more than 1.6 million travellers due to the economic stability provided by

this change in currency.

    El Salvador Airport's location, at only 27m above sea level makes it one of

the safest airports in the region with one of the longest runways in Central

America. A renovation project costing $32 million has been approved and works

will be ongoing until January 2014, just prior to Routes Americas which will

take place in February. This project will significantly improve passenger

experience and assist airlines to improve their operational performance.

    Every year since 2009 the airport has attracted a new international airline

including Iberia, Spirit, Air Transat and, more recently, Aeromexico. The

airport is also a Hub for one of the fastest growing airlines in Latin America;

Avianca-Taca connecting passengers to South, Central and North America with

more than 10 non-stop flights.

    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 were acquired by UBM Aviation Worldwide Ltd in August

2010. From 1st August 2012 Routes, ASM and the Airport Cities Conference and

Exhibition become 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,

@RouteExchange, @airlineroute

    SOURCE: UBM Aviation Routes Ltd