WORLD ROUTES: KwaZulu-Natal Ready for World Routes’ African Debut

After a record-breaking World Routes event in Chicago, the Chicago Department of Aviation and Choose Chicago officially handed the event over to the Province of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, ahed of its debut on the African continent in 2015. The 21st World Route Development Forum takes place in KwaZulu-Natal's coastal City of Durban, South Africa at its majestic Inkosi Albert Luthuli International Convention Centre between September 19-22, 2015.

“Hosting World Routes 2015 in Durban will be an incredible opportunity and experience for the Province of KwaZulu-Natal in South Africa," said Provincial Minister of Economic Development, Tourism & Environmental Affairs, Michael Mabuyakhulu. “We believe that hosting World Routes 2015 will further assist the province in securing more direct air linkages with the rest of the world, which is essential for accelerating the region's radical economic growth, especially in the tourism sector.”

Many of the region's key stakeholders have joined forces in support of World Route Durban 2015 and these include the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Economic Development, Tourism & Environmental Affairs; Tourism KwaZulu-Natal; Trade & Investment KwaZulu-Natal; Airports Company of South Africa; King Shaka International Airport; Dube TradePort; Durban & KZN Convention Bureau and as well eThekwini Municipality.

The HUB spoke to MEC Michael Mabuyakhulu during this year’s World Routes in Chicago to learn more about next year’s plan when he described the event as the aviation equivalent of the Football World Cup, which was hosted by South Africa in 2010. In terms of hosting the event, he added: “Durban is ready, KwaZulu-Natal is ready and Africa is ready.”

The HUB speaks to Provincial Minister of Economic Development, Tourism & Environmental Affairs, Michael Mabuyakhulu at World Routes in Chicago.
Richard Maslen

Richard Maslen has travelled across the globe to report on developments in the aviation sector as airlines and airports have continued to evolve and…