ICTP and Routes partner to advance destination airline connectivity

(Forimmediaterelease.net) HALEIWA, Hawaii, USA; BRUSSELS, Belgium; VICTORIA, Seychelles - ICTP (International Council of Tourism Partners) and Routes (a division of UBM Aviation Routes Limited) reached an agreement during the Routes Africa meeting in Seychelles, to work together to advance the understanding of the value of airline connectivity for destinations.

The two organizations will develop programs around Routes regional and worldwide events, that will give a clearer focus on the main trade, development, and human dimensions of connectivity, and will identify the key challenges and explore practical ways to unlock the benefits. This will take the form of workshops, think tanks, conferences, and related activities in which the opportunities and impacts of sustainable aviation growth will be explored, synthesized, and disseminated electronically. They will maintain a strong focus on promoting sustainable aviation growth to developing markets generally and Africa specifically.

David Stroud Executive Vice President Airports of UBM, the parent company of Routes, said: “This is one of the really exciting outcomes of our very successful meeting here in the Seychelles. It was not only the biggest meeting on extending Africa services that we have ever held, but also the one where the most business ever was done between airlines, airports, and tourism authorities. And thanks to the inclusionary thinking of Minister St.Ange, we have had the opportunity to interact with ICTP, whose vision and global coverage fits closely with our own. We are both committed to promoting sustainable aviation growth.”

Professor Geoffrey Lipman, President of ICTP, echoed these sentiments, welcoming the opportunities to build the worldwide network of support for an expanding air transport system geared to green growth transformation. He said: “It is very appropriate that we start here in Africa and in the Vanilla Islands, which depend on sustainable aviation growth for poverty reduction and lifestyle development. We will continue to keep these needs at the center of our global collaboration with Routes.”

Seychelles Minister of Tourism and Culture Alain St. Ange said that this had been a great week for the Seychelles: “To be a catalyst for new forms of collaboration between old friends is a very special privilege. We in turn pledge our support to the continuing work of ICTP and Routes, and to ensure that the unique spirit of the Vanilla Islands remains close to the accomplishments that I know will result from their work together.”

ABOUT ICTP

The International Council of Tourism Partners (ICTP) is a grassroots travel and tourism coalition of global destinations committed to quality service and green growth. The ICTP logo represents the strength in collaboration (the block) of many small communities (the lines) committed to sustainable oceans (blue) and land (green).

ICTP engages communities and their stakeholders to share quality and green opportunities including tools and resources, access to funding, education, and marketing support. ICTP advocates sustainable aviation growth, streamlined travel formalities, and fair coherent taxation.

ICTP supports the UN Millennium Development Goals, the UN World Tourism Organization's Global Code of Ethics for Tourism, and a range of programs that underpin them. The ICTP alliance is represented in Haleiwa, Hawaii, USA; Brussels, Belgium; Bali, Indonesia; and Victoria, Seychelles. ICTP membership is available to qualified destinations free of charge. Academy membership features a prestigious and selected group of destinations.

ICTP has members in Anguilla; Aruba; Bangladesh; Belgium, Belize; Canada; China; Croatia; The Gambia; Germany; Ghana; Greece; Grenada; India; Indonesia; Iran; Korea (South); La Reunion (French Indian Ocean); Malaysia; Malawi; Mauritius; Mexico; Morocco; Nicaragua; Nigeria; Northern Mariana Islands (USA Pacific Island Territory); Sultanate of Oman; Pakistan; Palestine; Rwanda; Seychelles; Sierra Leone; South Africa; Sri Lanka; Sudan; Tajikistan; Tanzania; Trinidad & Tobago; Yemen; Zambia; Zimbabwe; and from the US: Arizona, California, Georgia, Hawaii, Maine, Missouri, Utah, Virginia, and Washington.

Partner associations include: African Bureau of Conventions; African Chamber of Commerce Dallas/Fort Worth; Africa Travel Association; Boutique & Lifestyle Lodging Association; Cultural and Environment Conservation Society; DC-Cam (Cambodia); Euro Congres; Hawaii Tourism Association; International Delphic Council (IDC); International Institute for Peace Through Tourism (IIPT); International Organization of Electronic Tourism Industry (IOETI); Positive Impact Events, Manchester, UK; RETOSA: Angola - Botswana - DR Congo - Lesotho - Madagascar - Malawi - Mauritius - Mozambique - Namibia - South Africa - Swaziland - Tanzania - Zambia- Zimbabwe; Routes, SKAL International; Society for Accessible Travel & Hospitality (SATH); Sustainable Travel International (STI); The Region Initiative, Pakistan; The Travel Partnership Corporation; vzw Reis-en Opleidingscentrum, Gent, Belgium; as well as university and educational institute partners.

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