Poland to Host Routes Europe 2016

Routes Europe will return to Poland in 2016 when the 11th Routes Europe takes place 24-26 April 2016 in Kraków, the historic capital of the Małopolska Region.

The event, which is the largest regional Routes event, will be hosted by Kraków Airport and its partners the Małopolska Region, the Municipality of Kraków and Małopolska Tourism Organisation.

It will be the second time that Routes Europe has taken place in Poland, the first ever Routes Europe welcomed almost 300 delegates when the event took place in Warsaw in 2006, and over 1,200 delegates are expected to attend the event in 2016 including representatives from the region’s leading airlines, airports, tourism authorities and other industry stakeholders.

“Hosting the prestigious Routes Europe conference is beneficial for both the airport and the region,” said Jan Pamuła, President of the Board, Kraków Airport. “We welcome the decision of UBM, because taking on the role of the host is a great honor for us and confirmation that we have adopted the correct strategy. It’s a proof of our strong position in the European market, an opportunity to present our potential to new airlines and strong marketing support, while for Kraków and the Małopolska Region it is a chance for promotion among tourism industry opinion leaders. We are deeply convinced that thanks to the experience of UMB Team the conference will be organized at the highest level.”

The Małopolska Region has a population of 3.3 million and attracts 9 million tourists each year and Kraków, which is the second largest city in Poland offers 1,004 cultural institutions including museums, galleries, cinemas, theatres and music facilities and in addition, there are 8 sites from the Małopolska Region that are UNESCO World Heritage sites, three of which are located in Kraków.

Kraków Airport is situated just over 11km from the city centre and has a catchment area of 11 million inhabitants within a two hour drive. In 2013 the airport welcomed over 3.5 million passengers and provided connection to almost 70 destinations such as Frankfurt, Moscow, London, Paris and Rome operated by 15 airlines.

Kraków Airport has been taking part in Routes Europe since 2006 and in both 2013 and 2014 the airport received highly commended in their category at the Routes Europe Marketing Awards.

“We are thrilled to be taking Routes Europe to Kraków and returning to Poland in 2016,” said Ged Brown, Head of Future Events, Routes for UBM Live continuing: “Kraków Airport’s route network has seen year on year growth with both direct and connecting routes and in 2015 the airport will undergo a restructure which will increase capacity to 8 million annual passengers. Routes Europe 2016 will provide an opportunity to showcase this to the Routes community. Delegates will also experience Kraków and the many historic and cultural attractions it has to offer. Kraków Airport has been attending Routes events for many years and we now look forward to working even more closely with their team to deliver Routes Europe in 2016.”