Routes Tourism Mediterranean Opens its Doors

The first Routes Tourism Mediterranean event opened its doors to over 300 aviation and tourism professionals in Antalya, Turkey last night. The event follows the renowned Routes formula of formal and informal networking opportunities and highlights the greater significance on the involvement of tourism organisations within route development.

Speaking ahead of the formal opening Gerard Brown, Development Director, Tourism & Stakeholders, Routes, noted that “over recent years it has become apparent that Routes needs to encourage more active participation from tourism authorities and tour operators in the route development process.”

Among more than 70 airline and tour operator delegates, Routes Tourism Mediterranean has welcomed representatives from Transavia.com, Aeroflot Russian Airlines, Wizz Air, Travel Service Airlines, Pegasus Airlines and Onur Air. The event will also include a briefing from Airport Strategy & Marketing Ltd, official consultants at Routes, exploring how stakeholder management can be used to achieve a competitive advantage, and Destination Briefings from key tourism professionals, including government Ministers and their representatives from Greece, Croatia and Turkey.

“This event recognises the vital interdependence of the tourism and aviation industries and is set to revolutionise the way tourism authorities do business,” added Gerard Brown. “By partnering with airports, it will be easier to give a clearer picture of what the destination has to offer, thus encouraging airlines to consider creating new routes; it will also give them the opportunity to share strategies and goals.”

Delegates were given their first authentic taste of Turkish culture with a dramatic performance by ‘Fire of Anatolia', a dance and music troop involving over 60 performers, as part of ICF Airport’s Welcome Reception. With the promise of more to come at tonight’s Gala Dinner, the event is sure to leave a real taste of Turkish culture and history with delegates.

Ahead of the event's opening delegates enjoyed an exclusive tour of Aspendos and Perge, ancient cities with impressive architecture remaining from their historical pasts. They were treated to a private musical performance in the best preserved theatre of antiquity built in 155AD by the Greek architect Zenon: the roman theatre in Aspendos.