Brisbane lands major aviation conference in 2018

Queensland will be on show as Asia Pacific’s largest aviation route development forum brings more than 1000 senior decision makers from major international airlines, airports and the tourism industry to Brisbane in 2018.

Minister for Tourism and Major Events Kate Jones today welcomed the Routes Asia 2018 forum to be hosted at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre in March, 2018.

Ms Jones said the conference was a great opportunity to showcase Brisbane to some of the world’s biggest airlines.

“This forum is all about bringing more flights and more international travellers to Queensland,” she said.

“The Routes Asia 2018 forum will inject more than $1.8 million into the local economy and showcase our state’s destinations and visitor experiences.”

Ms Jones said the conference supported the Palaszczuk Government’s aim to secure more international flights to help grow Queensland’s tourism industry.

“Already, we have secured additional international flights expected to bring 228,000 more visitors to Queensland and up to $298 million extra for our economy each year,” she said.

“Routes Asia 2018 supports our government’s efforts to grow tourism by improving access for international students and attracting further Asian investment, conventions and business events.

“A number of new airlines routes have been identified already which could bring an additional 1.5 million international visitors a year to Queensland.”

Tourism and Events Queensland Chief Executive Officer Leanne Coddington said the conference reinforced Queensland’s reputation as a destination of choice for significant business events.

“Brisbane, and Queensland, is positioned on the doorstep of the world’s fastest growing region, Asia, and there are immense opportunities for future growth associated with that,” Ms Coddington said.

“Hosting this prominent international forum and some of the region’s most influential airlines brings immediate benefit in these delegates coming to Brisbane, offering the chance to showcasing the inspiring experiences Queensland has to offer.

“Securing new international routes to Queensland offers significant flow-on benefits for the State boosting the visitor economy and supporting jobs.”

The rapid economic growth in many Asian markets, particularly China and India, is creating new opportunities for Queensland’s tourism industry.

The Routes Asia forum provides an opportunity to showcase Brisbane to other important visitor markets including the Middle East which offers connectivity for European travellers.

Tourism and Events Queensland (TEQ) was part of a consortium of tourism bodies to support the Brisbane Airport Corporation (BAC) bid with Tourism Australia and Brisbane Marketing.

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