Routes Americas Heads to El Salvador in 2014

Manchester, England (ots/PRNewswire) -

Ministry of Tourism El Salvador named as host of 7th Routes
Americas event

El Salvador was today named as the destination for the 7th Routes
Americas event, which will take place in early 2014. The Honourable
Minister of Tourism Mr. Jose Napoleon Duarte Duran signed the
agreement during a signing ceremony which took place yesterday at
FITUR in Madrid. Also present at the signing were, El Salvador's
tourism business representatives, employees from CORSATUR, Katie
Bland, Future Hosts Director for Routes and David Appleby, Director
Latin America & the Caribbean for Routes.

Speaking from Madrid Minister Duarte Duran said: "We are delighted
to be announced as the Host of Routes Americas in 2014. We are
beginning our efforts, from both the private and public sectors, to
prepare for this important event. El Salvador will be pleased to
welcome the region's aviation industry leaders and show what the
country can offer as a tourist destination as well as its great
potential for business."

"We are thrilled to be taking Routes Americas 2014 to El Salvador-
a fast emerging tourist destination, with growing air connectivity
throughout the Americas and beyond, having added a new international
air service every year since 2009," commented Katie Bland continuing:
"The air service development community will be able to experience the
destination and the opportunities it presents through the
modernisation at El Salvador International Airport due for completion
in early 2014, the exceptional facilities and its mix of ancient
culture and modernity, nature and adventure. We are very much looking
forward to working with the teams of the Ministry of Tourism, El
Salvador International Airport and the Civil Aviation Authority to
develop further air connections to El Salvador."

El Salvador is the smallest and the most densely populated country
in Central America and transfer time from place to place does not
exceed 30 minutes. The tropical climate makes this a green
destination with warm and pleasant weather. It is a versatile country
which combines ancient culture with modern life and mixes business
with nature. Since El Salvador adopted the US Dollar as its legal
currency in 2001 it has become an international tourist destination
for more than 1.6 million travellers due to the economic stability
provided by this change in currency. Tourism has increased steadily
at an average of 5% year on year and as part of the Government
Quinquennial Plan, the contribution of tourism to the nation's GDP is
expected to grow to 10%.

El Salvador Airport's location, at only 27m above sea level makes
it one of the safest airports in the region with one of the longest
runways in Central America. A renovation project costing $32 million
has been approved and works will be ongoing until January 2014, just
prior to Routes Americas which will take place in February. This
project will significantly improve passenger experience and assist
airlines to improve their operational performance.

Every year since 2009 the airport has attracted a new
international airline including Iberia, Spirit, Air Transat and, more
recently, Aeromexico. The airport is also a Hub for one of the
fastest growing airlines in Latin America; Avianca-Taca connecting
passengers to South, Central and North America with more than 10
non-stop flights.

By hosting Routes Americas, the most important aviation networking
event for the Americas Region, El Salvador hopes to show the world
that the country is confident as a strategic business location and
become a pioneer of hosting this kind of event within the region with
a high capacity to develop markets. Finally hosting the event will
also integrate the three state institutions related to the national
development of the airline industry (the Civil Aviation Authority,
the International Airport and the Ministry of Tourism).

Notes to Editors

About Routes

- Routes organises world-renowned airline and airport networking events
through its regional and global Route Development Forums. Each year, there is one
global event and one regional event in Asia, Africa, Europe, the Americas and CIS
respectively. http://www.routesonline.com

- Routes was founded in 1995 as part of the Manchester UK-based ASM Ltd.,
a consultancy specialising in the field of route development for airports.
http://www.asm-global.com [http://www.asm%E2%80%90global.com ]

- Routes and ASM were acquired by UBM Aviation Worldwide Ltd in August 2010.
From 1st August 2012 Routes, ASM and the Airport Cities Conference and Exhibition
become part of the UBM Live division of UBM plc.

- UBM Live connects people and creates opportunities for companies across
five continents to develop new business, meet customers, launch new products, promote
their brands and expand their markets. Through premiere brands such as MD&M, CPhI,
IFSEC, TFM&A, Cruise Shipping Miami, the Concrete Show, the Routes portfolio of
events, Airport Cities and many others, UBM Live exhibitions, conferences, awards
programs, publications, websites and training and certification programs are an
integral part of the marketing plans of companies across more than 20 industry
sectors. http://www.ubmlive.com

Follow us on twitter: @Routesonline, @TheHUBRoutes,
@VictoriaRoutes, @RouteExchange, @airlineroute

ots Originaltext: UBM Aviation Routes Ltd
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Contact:
For further press information please contact: Victoria Jones, PR
Executive, UBM Aviation Routes Limited T: +44(0)161-234-2730, E:
pr@routesonline.com.