Successful Routes Silk Road Draws 300 in Tbilisi

Tbilisi, Georgia (ots/PRNewswire) -

Industry thought leaders meet to discuss route development and
other key issues affecting the region

The first ever Routes Silk Road event, hosted by United Airports
of Georgia in Tbilisi saw attendance from 300 senior aviation
professionals from across the CIS, Central and Eastern Europe, Middle
East and Asia regions, opened with the Routes Silk Road Strategy
Summit on Sunday, 6th July. The event included a special gathering of
the United Nations World Tourism Organization Silk Road Task Force.

It was clear from the engaging addresses, presentations and
discussion sessions that Georgia and other countries in the region
certainly have ambitions to grow their share of international air
services and this country is at the forefront of developments as it
seeks to maximise its geographical position and historic significance
to develop a new Silk Road of air services between Europe in the west
to Asia in the east.

"Although the Silk Road has been serving us for centuries there is
still much to be discovered and developed in the modern era,"
explained former banker Giorgi Kvirikashvili, minister of economy and
sustainable development of Georgia and the country's vice prime
minister who opened the Summit. "Governments have strong supportive
roles to play in facilitating accessibility and trade."

These presentations provided an enlightening introduction to the
local aviation market and the first panel session on Finding the
right balance - How will different airline operating models bring
success to the region? brought the views of some of the region's
prominent airlines and airport operators together for a discussion
moderated by Yuliya Crane, senior consultant for ASM, the world route
development consultants, who highlighted Georgia as "a proactive and
progressive aviation authority."

With the UNWTO Routes Silk Road Task Force Meeting taking place at
Routes Silk Road, delegates received a video message from Taleb
Rifai, secretary general, UNWTO which was recorded especially for the
event. He highlighted the growing importance of tourism in the global
economy and described Georgia as a "leading example" of how open
skies and visa facilitation can work.

These comments flowed nicely into a panel session on the subject
of visa and how Governments influence tourism, which was expertly
moderated by travel writer, John Bell. The session explored what the
barriers to change are and how states could relax regulations and
still maintain security.

"One of the impediments to tourism in this region is unduly
difficult visa processes," commented Michael Miller, head of content
& industry relations for Routes, who chaired the conference. "It is
amazingly important that these kinds of issues are being discussed by
such prominent industry leaders at Routes events and we are thrilled
with the success of this inaugural Routes Silk Road event."

In addition to the Strategy Summit attendees participated in more
than 800 face-to-face meetings that Routes has become synonymous
future air services planning. A programme of social events was also
enjoyed by delegates, the highlight of which was fabulous Networking
Evening Hosted by United Airports of Georgia at Mtasminda Park above
the Tbilisi skyline, where a stunning firework display lit up the
skies over Tbilisi.

For more information and news from the event please visit
http://www.routesonline.com

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 are
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
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[http://twitter.com@NLPROU ], @airlineroute
[http://twitter.com@airlineroute ]

About UBM plc

- UBM plc is a global events-led marketing services and communications
company. We help businesses do business, bringing the world's buyers and sellers
together at events and online, as well as producing and distributing news and
specialist content. Our 5,500 staff in more than 30 countries are organised into
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business and their markets to work effectively and efficiently.
- For more information, go to http://www.ubm.com [natasha.peck@routesonline.com
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ots Originaltext: UBM Live Routes Ltd
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Contact:
For further press information please contact:
Victoria Jones Communications Manager
Routes T: +44(0)161-234-2730
E: pr@routesonline.com