NOTE: This is an excerpt from this week’s MPE Caribbean Report Newsletter, which offers travel, tourism, Caribbean and global news weekly.
The Caribbean’s presence was strong in Bogotá, Colombia during Routes Americas 2024, the route development forum for the Americas.
Held last week, the conference attracted several Caribbean destinations, whose executives connected with senior decision-makers from the region’s leading airlines and other tourism and aviation stakeholders.
A panel discussion on “Aviation Competitiveness in the Caribbean” provided much food for thought in addressing some of the key challenges facing the region’s aviation sector.
The Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO) played a lead role in orchestrating the powerful discussion, which featured Dr. Kenneth Romer (Deputy Director General of Tourism & Director of Aviation, The Bahamas Ministry of Tourism, Investments and Aviation); Trevor Sadler (CEO, interCaribbean Airways); Hans van de Velde (CEO, Windward Islands Airways International – WINAIR); Rafael Echevarne (Director General, Latin America & Caribbean, Airports Council International – ACI); and Peter Cerdá (Regional Vice President, The Americas, International Air Transport Association – IATA), with David Appleby (Director, ASM) moderating.
Panelists discussed the high taxation and fees in the region, with some arguing that reducing these could increase demand and make travel more affordable. They also discussed the need for more deregulation and liberalization of the skies, and the potential for designating the Caribbean as a single domestic market. The role of state-owned carriers was also debated as well as the need for more public-private partnerships to enhance infrastructure and technology.
BAHAMAS TO HOST ROUTES AMERICAS NEXT YEAR
The Caribbean will take the spotlight when The Bahamas hosts Routes Americas 2025, a premier event in the aviation industry, February 10-13, 2025.
To be held at Atlantis, Paradise Island, the conference represents a significant milestone for The Bahamas and the region.
More than 900 senior industry professionals from airlines, airports and destinations are expected to participate in the meeting, the latest edition of which was held last week in Bogotá, Colombia.
The Bahamas Ministry of Tourism, Investments & Aviation, the Nassau Paradise Island Promotion Board, and the Nassau Airport Development Company (NAD) are partnering to host the event.
“The hosting of Routes Americas 2025 in Nassau signifies a pivotal moment in The Bahamas’ aviation and tourism sectors,” noted I. Chester Cooper, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Tourism, Investments & Aviation. “It’s a testament to our dedication to expanding global air connectivity and driving sustainable tourism growth. The expansion in airlift and ongoing airport developments throughout our archipelago have positioned us to achieve our goal of increasing stopover visitor arrivals to the country.”
“Since hosting Routes Americas in 2012, we continue to see positive returns from our involvement,” said Vernice Walkine, President & CEO of NAD. “Lynden Pindling International Airport is one of the busiest airports in the Caribbean, and we recognize the importance of fostering collaboration and forging new air service agreements to enhance connectivity to our beautiful islands,” added Walkine.
See complete MPE Caribbean Report Newsletter at https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0/#inbox/FMfcgzGxSRLHnNtkrzlxhZxvsGDKtgjs
