Cartagena has been chosen to host the fifth edition of “Routes America,” an annual meeting of airline representatives.
Routes Americas is “the annual gathering of air service decision-makers for all of the Americas.” At the gathering the decision-makers from different airlines plan new routes and review existing ones.
The city was chosen due to the joint efforts of the Colombia’s national and regional tourism sectors. Cartagena has been identified as a world heritage site and the gateway to the Colombian Caribbean.
Between January and June of this year, the city has seen an 8.7% growth in tourism compared to the same period last year.
“We are delighted to announce Cartagena as our 2013 host. The passion and commitment of the airport together with the location of the city and its ability to stage events made it the ideal choice,” said Routes America director Katie Bland.
Cartagena’s airport is scheduled to expand by approximately 33% in time for the Routes America event, and it will be able to mobilize up to four million passengers.
“Hosting this event will bring together tourism consultants and industry leaders from all over the world and inform them about the opportunities and competitive advantages of the city and its airport to establish itself as an excellent tourist destination,” said the financial and commercial director of Cartagena’s tourism corporation, Maria Claudia Gedeon.
Routes America is an event inspired by “World Routes,” which hosted its 17th event last October in Berlin, Germany.