Belfast To Host Routes Europe Conference

Belfast is to host the Routes Europe conference in 2017.

Routes Europe is a major international event bringing together decision makers from airlines, airports and tourism authorities to negotiate and build relationships that will shape the world’s future air route networks.

Enterprise, Trade and Investment Minister Arlene Foster said: "Hosting Routes Europe in Belfast in 2017 provides us with a rare opportunity to bring influential decision makers into the region and showcase Northern Ireland’s tourism and business potential.

"This conference has the potential to accelerate route development for Belfast and Northern Ireland, with previous hosts of Routes Europe confirming up to six new routes after hosting the event. This will benefit business, tourism and the aerospace sectors."

The three-day conference is expected to attract more than 1,200 European and international delegates.

The winning bid was prepared by a partnership led by Invest Northern Ireland and Visit Belfast, supported by tourism organisations and Northern Ireland's two main airports.

The main conference will take place from Sunday 23 April to Tuesday 25 April 2017.

(CD)