Leading Las Vegas - Routes Americas 2017
18 July 2016The City of Lights is the host destination for Routes Americas 2017 – taking place 14–16 February at Aria Resort and Casino – the meeting forum for airports, airlines and tourism authorities that want to develop new air services in the Americas.
Las Vegas is the ideal destination for Routes Americas as the tourism and convention industries are so high on its agenda. Famed for its 24-hour casinos, entertainment shows and theme hotels, the city attracts over 42 million visitors a year, half of which travel by air. The airport generates $30 billion for the local economy, directly employs around 18,000 people and handles over 45 million passengers a year.
The hosts of Routes Americas 2017 – McCarran International Airport, and Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority – have a long-standing partnership with the aim of developing air routes to Las Vegas. This will be the second time they have brought a Routes event to the city after the economic benefits of hosting World Routes 2013 led to the decision to bid for Routes Americas. Las Vegas gained over 120 weekly flights, with an estimated annual economic impact of $450 million in non-gaming revenue in the year after the event.
Rosemary Vassiliadis, director of the Clark County Department for Aviation, explains: “McCarran International Airport saw first-hand the value that comes with hosting a Routes event, which brought airline decision-makers from around the world into our facility and our community. We look forward to building upon our success in 2013 with a spectacular Routes Americas.”
Adrian Newton, group director of UBM EMEA, the organiser of Routes Americas, adds: “As the host of World Routes and Routes Americas, Las Vegas can be described as a trailblazer for air service development. Las Vegas is already a top destination, but it constantly strives to improve its connectivity with the Americas and the rest world.”
The Americas dream
The city can expect to welcome some of the biggest names in the airline industry next year; 85 carriers, including American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Air Canada, JetBlue, British Airways and Iberia attended Routes Americas 2016 in Puerto Rico, and the number has been growing year on year.
Rossi Ralenkotter, president and CEO of Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority, says: “As a global destination for leisure and business travel, Las Vegas attracts millions of visitors every year from all over the world. We are excited to host Routes Americas, and show airline executives and route planners why Las Vegas is a popular and exciting destination that fills every section of their planes.” ?
More information about Routes Americas can be found at www.routesonline.com.
