More tourism bodies working with airports to develop air services
Wednesday, 23 Apr, 2010
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More than 450 route development planners and decision-makers joined forces in Adelaide for the eighth Routes Asia conference.
The attendance of tourism authorities was double last year’s numbers, reflecting an increasing trend of tourism authorities and airports working together towards a common goal of developing air services.
Up to 90 airline delegates attended, including representatives from AirAsia X, Jetstar Airways, Malaysia Airlines, Qantas Airways, Qatar Airways and Thai AirAsia.
The 170 airport delegates represented facilities such as Changi Airport Group, GMR Delhi International Airport, Korea Airports Corporation and Perth Airport.
Gerard Brown, international business development director at organiser RDG, said: “The global recession reinforced the need for the two parties to work more closely with airlines in order to drive visitors to their regions and their respective airports.
"Tourism authorities are now taking a much more important role in the Routes events, which was apparent at the event.
“Adelaide Airport and the South Australian Government are a great example; the two teams work together to attract new airlines to the region, and those efforts were reflected in the activities offered at the event. The South Australian Tourism Commission provided delegates with a real insight into what South Australia has to offer.”
Craig Dunstan, business manager – access development for South Australian Tourism Commission, said: “The event has helped us to bring together a variety of new airlines and airports, some of which have not previously had the opportunity to visit Adelaide.
"Not only did we have the opportunity to show them Adelaide Airport and its world class facilities, but also our fantastic city. The delegates have had the chance to experience our destination first hand, and the responses have been great, from both airlines and airports.”
The consensus amongst delegates was that it is essential to capture and capitalise on opportunities that present themselves at this early stage of the year.
While the airports were keen to push forward with various ideas and to update the attending carriers, the airlines spent their time consolidating discussions with key airports that were already in progress and meeting new airports they had not yet considered.
Phil Davies
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