On 30th May 2014 Routes (part of UBM Live) and the Regional Tourism
Organization of Southern Africa (RETOSA) signed a Memorandum of Understanding
to work together to improve air connectivity and travel facilitation to, from
and within Africa.

"Collaboration between RETOSA and Routes as strategic partners is
incredibly significant and long overdue. It is our hope that this will help
advance our advocacy role in aviation development across the Southern Africa
region. We also believe that this initiative will enhance public-private
partnership and engagement in all matters relating to air connectivity,
accessibility and travel facilitation in our region," said Simba Mandinyenya,
Acting Executive Director, RETOSA.

"Aviation is a vital catalyst for Africa’s continued economic growth as it
facilitates business, trade, tourism and promotes sustainable development and
Routes events are the meeting places that bring together the world’s airlines
with airports and destination stakeholders to discuss and negotiate air service
opportunities," said Katie Bland, Director Routes, UBM Live.

"Therefore, RETOSA and Routes share a common goal, which is to improve air
connectivity and tourism for Africa," continued Mrs. Bland. "We are delighted
that RETOSA will be supporting two of our forthcoming Routes events to be
hosted within the SADC region: Routes Africa 2014 in Victoria Falls, hosted by
Civil Aviation Authority of Zimbabwe from 22nd – 24th June 2014; and World
Routes 2015 in Durban, hosted by KwaZulu-Natal Province from 20th – 22nd
September 2015."

RETOSA is a Southern African Development Community (SADC) institution
responsible for tourism growth and development. Their vision is to develop
effective and impactful tourism initiatives in the SADC region in order to make
Southern Africa a regional destination of choice by 2027.

RETOSA has 15 member states which include both Zimbabwe, the destination
for this year’s Routes Africa, 22-24 June in Victoria Falls, and South Africa
which will see the global aviation community arrive in force when World Routes
2015 takes place in Durban, Kwa-Zulu Natal.

By aligning closely with Routes, RETOSA is demonstrating its commitment to
improving travel facilitation in the SADC region and they will play an active
role in driving content for the World Routes Strategy Summit and World Tourism
Summit at World Routes 2015. Routes are confident that this partnership will
also lead to improved participation from the 15 SADC members, including
Ministerial attendance at future events.