Brand USA Named Official Tourism Partner for World Routes 2013

AsiaNet 53373

WASHINGTON, June 13, 2013 /PRN=KYODO JBN/ --

    - Deploys Air Team USA to reach key aviation stakeholders

    Brand USA, the nation's public-private partnership dedicated to increasing

international visitation to the United States through marketing and promotional

efforts, today announced an agreement to serve as official tourism partner for

World Routes Development Forum, the world's largest airline conference, October

5-8.

    Through this exclusive sponsorship, Brand USA will reach airlines, airports

and tourism authorities from 125 countries, increasing visibility and awareness

through branding and networking opportunities, editorial coverage, speaking

engagements and digital media outreach.

    "With the exception of our border countries - Mexico and Canada - all

international travelers to the U.S. fly. Routes provides Brand USA a platform

for Air Team USA to engage with key influencers and stakeholders in the

aviation industry," noted Chris Thompson, President and CEO for Brand USA.

"Brand USA's new initiative, Air Team USA, was created to give U.S. suppliers

the ability to reach the airline industry through cooperative partnerships. As

a result of these collective efforts, U.S. suppliers have the opportunity to

participate in international aviation events like World Routes Development

Forum, which may have otherwise been cost prohibitive."

    Air Team USA will develop cooperative opportunities to engage tour

operators, travel agents and consumers with programs that will increase seat

sales and ultimately visitation to the US. Air Team USA will work directly with

domestic and international airports as well as their local tourism authorities

to maximize airline efficiency for flights to and from the USA.

    Alfredo Gonzalez, vice president, global partnership development for Brand

USA, added, "I've participated in Routes since 2002 and I found it to be the

best opportunity to engage with airlines. It is one of the few platforms today

where you have the chance to sit one-on-one with carriers all over the world

and discuss route development."

    "UBM Routes is especially delighted to welcome Brand USA as the Official

Tourism Partner of this year's event in Las Vegas. It is especially fitting as

this is the first World Routes to be held in the United States," said Gerard

Brown, International Tourism Development Director for UBM Routes. "The

airports, airlines, tourism authorities and CVBs of the United States have used

Routes events to drive new air services for many years and this new partnership

with Brand USA will only serve to increase the positioning of the US globally

within the air service development community."

    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 [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, @NLPROU, @airlineroute

    SOURCE: UBM Live Routes Ltd