As formally announced at last year’s World Routes in Berlin, Germany, Rafael Nuñez International Airport in Cartagena de Indias, supported by their stakeholders Cartagena Tourist Board and PROEXPORT Colombia, will host next year’s Routes Americas, the sixth edition of the only network development event for the entire Americas region. The event will take place in the Colombian city between 10th and 12th February, 2013.

Cartagena, world heritage city and gateway to the Colombian Caribbean, has seen a recent rise in tourism as overall visitor numbers to Colombia grew by 14 per cent between January and June 2011 compared to 2010. Rafael Nuñez International Airport is located within the city limits, just ten minutes from the convention centre and 15 minutes from the hotel zone and receives more than 220 direct national flights every week allowing more than 700 international flights to connect to Cartagena from other cities in Colombia.

The airport is the 4th largest in Colombia handling over 2 million passengers for the first time in 2010 and this figure is set to grow even further in 2012. The terminal redevelopment currently underway will expand capacity to more than 3.5 million passengers annually. Hosting Routes Americas provides the ideal platform to showcase this unique and enchanting destination and show delegates the progress that has been made in their airport expansion.

Speaking to The HUB yesterday ahead of today’s formal handover ceremony from this year’s host, Nassau Airport Development Company, Maria Claudia Gedeon, Financial & Commercial Director of Cartagena’s Rafael Nuñez International Airport said: "We are delighted to be hosting Routes Americas in 2013. The event will enable us to bring together the world's network planners and inform them about the potential opportunities for development from Rafael Nuñez International Airport. The best way to market Cartagena is for them to see for themselves what we can offer as a destination and leave a lasting legacy in their minds."

“The magic of Cartagena de Indias and its strategic location have attracted entrepreneurs and business people to be part of its development. Besides being a city for tourism, it is a port and an industrial centre. Due to the depth of its bay, its location on the Colombian Caribbean and the fact that it protected from hurricanes, the city is highly competitive. It is not only Colombia’s favourite destination, but also one of the continent’s top choices for offering an extensive mix of culture, history, art, gastronomy, architecture and business,” she added.

“After such a successful event currently taking place in Nassau we are eagerly awaiting next year’s event in Cartagena,” added Nigel Mayes, VP & Commercial for Routes. “We are expecting record numbers to come to the event in Cartagena; it is one of the world’s most beautiful cities with a fascinating history. Delegates will be able to come to one event and discuss market opportunities for North America, Central America, South America and the Caribbean.”