At lunchtime today this year's host Denver International Airport officially handed the event over to the US Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the host destination for the 9th Routes Americas event.

Building on the success of this year’s event, which provisional figures suggest welcomed over 650 delegates, 45 per cent growth year-on-year, Routes Americas 2016 will take place between February 7-9, 2016 in San Juan. The event, which is the route development forum for the entire Americas region, will be hosted by Puerto Rico Tourism Company with the support of their partners Aerostar Airport Holdings LLC and MeetPuertoRico.

Speaking to Routesonline ahead of today's lunchtimes festivities, Ingrid I. Rivera Rocafort, Executive Director of the Puerto Rico Tourism Company, said: “The Puerto Rico Tourism Company and our partners Aerostar Airport Holdings and MeetPuertoRico are looking forward to hosting Routes Americas for the first time, and to showcase all that Puerto Rico has to offer. The options are as diverse as our culture. The mix of Taino, Spanish, African and American cultures make us the melting pot of the Caribbean, and the perfect connection between the Americas."

"Puerto Rico enjoys year-round summer weather, with sunny skies and beautiful beaches just walking distance from the Puerto Rico Convention Center. With over 110 non-stop flights from 40 countries it is easier than ever to join us at Routes Americas 2016. Mark your calendars, set your meetings, pack your bags, and get ready for a 5-star convention experience.” she added.

Located just above the Equator, between the Atlantic Ocean and the Caribbean Sea, Puerto Rico is part of the Greater Antilles right at the heart of the Western Hemisphere. This strategic and uniquely centralised location makes it the perfect connection between north and south and continues to benefit from having the ‘best of both worlds’.

CLICK on the image below to watch our video interview with Mari Jo Laborde, chief marketing and sales officer, Puerto Rico Tourism Company...

https://www.facebook.com/RoutesonlineUBM/videos/813376185388793/?t=0

Combining breathtaking natural beauty with a solid modern infrastructure Puerto Rico is a world-class tourist and business destination attracting many industries which have established operations there. Hosting Routes Americas in 2016 will allow the Host Team to showcase everything that the destination has to offer to the wider aviation community with over 550 senior industry professionals expected to attend the event.

The island is home to the largest airport and cruise homeport in the Caribbean and 2016 will mark the inauguration of the newly remodelled Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport. A premier convention destination, Puerto Rico offers a unique positioning within the Caribbean, reachable via over 1,600 nonstop weekly flights from 43 destinations around the world. The strategic location of Puerto Rico coupled with outstanding connectivity makes it the best connected destination in the Caribbean.

“Following this year’s record event in Denver where we’ve experienced unprecedented growth we’re very excited to be taking Routes Americas to Puerto Rico next year,” said Katie Bland, director Routes for UBM EMEA. “Its geographical and cultural position as the bridge between the Americas makes it an ideal host for the event and the fact that it is a Commonwealth of the United States offers our US delegates the added convenience of entering Puerto Rico without a passport."

"The complete remodelling of Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport, the largest and busiest airport in the Caribbean, will be ready for showcasing in 2016 and will provide excellent connectivity for our delegates from both North and South America. We look forward to working with Puerto Rico Tourism Company and all of their partners over the coming months towards another successful Routes Americas event,” she added.

A commonwealth of the United States of America, a political relationship which dates back over 60 years, Puerto Rico offers US citizens the advantage of being able to travel to the destination without the need of a passport.