CEO of Qatar Airways to Participate in World Routes Strategy Summit

Akbar Al Baker confirms that he will attend and speak at the world's largest commercial aviation forum

MANCHESTER, March 6, 2013 /CNW/ - Today saw the official launch of the 19^th World Route Development Forum which will take place on 5-8 October 2013 co-hosted by Las Vegas Convention & Visitors Authority (LVCVA) and Las Vegas McCarran International Airport.

World Routes is the largest and most important commercial aviation networking forum of its kind and 2013 will see Routes head to the United States for the first time ever when the event takes place in the entertainment capital of the world, Las Vegas, Nevada.  Tourism is the number one industry in Las Vegas, with record visitation of nearly 40 million visitors last year, and the city is also a thriving business destination hosting more than 21,000 annual meetings and trade shows with almost five million attendees in 2012.

The event attracts all manner of airlines with low-cost, charter, regional and flag carriers all in attendance and represented by delegates who are responsible for making decisions on both new and existing routes.  Early registrations indicate a strong presence from all regions with more than 100 carriers already registered to attend, including Air Canada, British Airways, AirAsia X, easyJet, UPS, Delta Air Lines, Southwest, Emirates, Allegiant, Etihad, COPA Airlines, Virgin America, Volaris and American Airlines.

This year's event will see a number of content streams running throughout the four days, including the World Routes Strategy Summit, held in partnership with ICAO and the World Bank; the World Tourism Summit, held in partnership with the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA), the International Coalition of Tourism Partners (ICTP) and TTG; Invest and Manage and a programme of social media briefings.

The summits bring together senior leaders and key stakeholders from aviation, tourism and cargo to participate in discussions that will set the commercial and political agenda for the industry.  The events attract airline and airport CEOs, Ministers of Tourism and leaders of industry associations worldwide such as Akbar Al Baker, CEO of Qatar Airways, Alain St Ange, Minister for Tourism & Culture for the Seychelles, Angela Gittens, Director General of ACI World, Sani Sener, President & CEO of TAV Airports, and Rossi Ralenkotter, President/CEO of Las Vegas Convention & Visitors Authority, who have all confirmed their participation.

"Las Vegas is honoured to host the first World Route Development Forum in the United States" said Rossi Ralenkotter, President/CEO for the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority.  "As the entertainment and convention capital of the world and an emerging international business centre, Las Vegas offers a truly unique experience to the world's aviation leaders.  From our new $2.4 billion state-of-the-art international Terminal 3 to our ability to continually reinvent Las Vegas as an international tourism destination, Las Vegas is the perfect stage for industry leaders to connect and gain key insight into what the future of travel and tourism holds."

David Stroud, Executive Vice President, Routes said: "For Routes, taking the event to the United States for the first time will further strengthen our position in the world's largest aviation market.  We expect over 3,000 delegates to join us in Las Vegas this year, including senior representation from over 300 carriers from around the world.  McCarran International Airport's expansion offers airlines new opportunities and hosting World Routes will allow the city to increase their air services which is fundamental to the prosperity of the region."

"Last year, McCarran International Airport opened its doors to an increasing number of travellers from around the world when we opened our fantastic Terminal 3 expansion," said Randall H. Walker, Director of Aviation for Clark County, Nev., which owns and operates McCarran.  "This fall, we look forward to welcoming Routes attendees from around the globe, providing each guest a first-hand opportunity to experience all that our airport and community have to offer."

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 1^stAugust 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

About The LVCVA

The Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority (LVCVA) is charged with marketing Southern Nevada as a tourism and convention destination worldwide, and also with operating the Las Vegas Convention Center and Cashman Center.  With more than 150,000 hotel rooms in Las Vegas alone and 10.6 million square feet of meeting and exhibit space citywide, the LVCVA's mission centers on attracting ever-increasing numbers of leisure and business visitors to the area.  For more information, go to http://www.lvcva.com or http://www.lasvegas.com.

About McCarran International Airport

McCarran International Airport is the world's gateway to Las Vegas, serving nearly half Southern Nevada's approximately 40 million annual visitors. McCarran annually ranks among the world's busiest airports, handling nearly 41.7 million arriving and departing passengers in calendar 2012. Last summer, McCarran opened its $2.4 billion Terminal 3 expansion, which greatly expanded its ability to welcome direct international air service with additional gates, hold rooms and ticketing areas, as well as a larger U.S. Customs and Border Protection port of entry. For more information, please visit http://www.mccarran.com

SOURCE: UBM Aviation Routes Ltd