Belfast to host major international aviation conference in 2017

Francess McDonnell

Belfast has attracted a major international aviation conference that is likely to attract 1,200 delegates to the city and deliver potential economic benefits worth £1.3 million, the North's Enterprise Minister said on Thursday.

Arlene Foster said the Routes Europe conference will come to Belfast in 2017 and bring senior decision makers from airlines, airports and tourism authorities to the North.

The Minister said the three-day conference would not only provide a boost for the local hospitality sector but the significance of the city securing the event could be long-lasting.

“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,” Mrs Foster added.

She also hopes it will help to generate extensive media coverage for Belfast and highlight Northern Ireland as tourism destination and location for large scale international events.

Gerard Brown, Head of Future Hosting, Routes UBM EMEA said: “Delegates will be exposed to the business and tourism opportunities that exist in Northern Ireland and our hosts will have the opportunity to showcase the unprecedented £300 million tourism infrastructure investment of recent years to the Routes community.

“To have our audience of over 1,200 of the European aviation industry’s most senior decision makers attend Routes Europe 2017 in Belfast will help to deliver on the ambitious air service targets within Northern Ireland’s economic growth strategy.”