Routes World marked its debut in the city and drew global attention to aviation and tourism opportunities. The event featured a series of seminars where representatives from tourism boards, airports, and airlines shared insights, alongside dedicated spaces for attendees to schedule meetings and discuss route development, with a bustling atmosphere noted by observers.
A notable session on leveraging major sporting events for economic growth featured industry leaders such as Stephen Smart, head of communications at Vancouver Airport Authority; Katie Mills, international director at Tourism & Events Queensland; and Philipe Karat, head of Transportation at Embratur – the Brazilian Tourist Board.
Stephen Smart
They explored how events like the Summer Olympics and FIFA World Cup can boost tourism, create jobs, spur infrastructure investment, and drive long-term economic benefits.
However, Smart emphasized the need for coordinated efforts among airports, airlines, and local stakeholders to enhance connectivity and maximize these opportunities.
Katie Mills
Mills said that Queensland, set to host the 2032 Summer Olympics, is already collaborating with aviation, trade, and media partners across 18 key markets to increase inbound tourism and support transformative initiatives, while also working closely with environmental and innovation sectors.
Karat said Brazil’s experience hosting the 2014 World Cup and 2016 Olympics significantly raised its global profile, attracting more tourists and new airlines, including four low-cost carriers, through strategic incentives and data-driven models that shaped national tourism policies.
Philipe Karat
