Showtime for Routes Americas in 2017

Routes News September 29, 2016

Las Vegas is the ideal destination for Routes Americas because the tourism and convention industries are so high on the city’s 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 more than 45 million passengers a year.

The hosts of Routes Americas 2017, McCarran International Airport and Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority, have a longstanding partnership to bring new air routes to Las Vegas. This will be the second time that they bring a Routes event to the city - the economic benefits of hosting World Routes 2013 led to the decision to bid for Routes Americas. Las Vegas gained 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 in 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.”

“As a host of both World Routes and Routes Americas, Las Vegas can be described as a trailblazer for air service development,“ adds Adrian Newton, group director of UBM EMEA, the organiser of Routes Americas. “Las Vegas is already a top destination but it constantly strives to improve its connectivity with the rest of the Americas and the world.”

The city can expect to welcome some of the biggest names in the airline industry when Routes Americas takes place next year. Eighty-five 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 both 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 an ever popular and exciting travel destination that fills all sections of their planes.”

Routes Americas 2017 in Las Vegas is set to be the biggest event yet, with a record number of delegates due to attend. This consists of more than 700 aviation professionals, over 80 airlines, 280 airports and 40 tourism authorities expected to attend.

Neil Mulligan, Routes’ senior future host manager, says: “We are delighted to have Las Vegas host a Routes event once again. Having hosted World Routes in 2013, we cannot wait to work with the vibrant McCarran International Airport and Las Vegas Convention and Authority team. It’s great to know that hosting a Routes event had such an impact on the city. The value in hosting one of our events is huge.”