The Philippines will host Routes Asia in 2016.

The annual aviation event will take place in Manila from 6-8 March 2016, following the 2015 edition in Chengdu. The announcement came during the 20th World Route Development Forum currently taking place in Chicago.

“Hosting the event will allow the Philippines to increase air services and visitor numbers at a time when the airports’ planned expansion offers airlines new opportunities,” said Katie Bland, director Routes for UBM Live. “With superb connections to the whole of Asia, one of the fastest growing economies of Southeast Asia and both a modern and rapidly developing infrastructure, the Philippines is the ideal destination to hold Routes Asia in 2016.

“Furthermore, with ASEAN Open Skies expected in 2015, this event is sure to be full of opportunities for all our community,” she added.

The Routes Asia event will gather aviation leaders from airlines, airports and tourism departments to discuss and advance the development of air connectivity across the region.

“We are extremely honoured and excited to be given the opportunity to host Routes Asia 2016,” said Ramon Jimenez Jr, secretary of the Philippine Department of Tourism. “The Philippines is a strong viable option for staging the largest and most important route development forum in Asia.

“Trade, investment and tourism in the country have grown very rapidly in the last few years creating numerous opportunities for expanding air routes to major points in Asia and the rest of the world.  We owe this strong support to all our stakeholders, who have invested their resources and trust in us to make this work for everybody.”