Aviation route development is a key factor in Travel & Tourism’s success. Over time and through a strategic approach, some aviation hub cities have been able to extend the stays of transit visitors into multi-day stopovers and to encourage visits to the city as a final destination in its own right.

Developing this move from transit hub to destination relies on a number of key factors. The destinations that have had greatest success in making this transition have benefitted from a combination of:

• A strong national airline that is both financially and reputationally strong,

• Solid destination appeal with robust inbound tourism,

• Excellent airline connectivity, sufficient infrastructure, and favourable regulatory frameworks developed through established stakeholder partnerships,

• Vertical or central integration and long-term vision of both aviation and the destination.