Routes Europe has officially been handed over to route development stakeholders across Rimini, Italy. Routes spoke with the host team about the significance of the event for the city and what delegates can look forward to experiencing.
Located within the Emilia-Romagna region, Rimini is an Italian municipality of 150,000 inhabitants. The region welcomes about 14.5 million visitors annually and is a leading tourist destination in Europe for both leisure and business travel thanks to its high level of accessibility, authentic Italian offerings, and a highly specialized and developed hospitality industry.
During the 2025 edition of Routes Europe, Roberta Frisoni, Emilia-Romagna’s regional minister for tourism, trade and sport, emphasized the significance of hosting the route development community. “The event is extremely important to us as a strategic pillar of the strategy that the region has taken forward to boost air connectivity across the international market,” she told Routes.
Frisoni added: “We will be able to show the aviation sector what Emilia-Romagna is. Rimini is at the centre of our coast which not only has a fantastic beach offering, but a lot of things to do across heritage, culture and unique opportunities.”
Rimini Airport (RMI) plays a vital role in supporting the region’s growing visitor numbers. As Emilia-Romagna’s second-largest airport, RMI has the capacity to expand and meet increasing demand. Hosting Routes Europe 2026 will further elevate the international profile of the region’s tourism offering, with the goal of reaching more than 65 million overnight stays by 2030 and doubling tourism’s contribution to regional GDP to 16%.
The hosts anticipate that delegates will enjoy a rich and varied experience during their time in the region. “Routes Europe 2026 attendees can expect a city that is truly welcoming, which is a cornerstone of our hospitality,” said Roberta Frisoni, Emilia-Romagna’s minister for tourism, trade and sport. “We are a city where we work hard but also take time to enjoy life, and I believe this will be a key part of the experience delegates will have.”
Routes Europe 2026 will be hosted by The Emilia-Romagna Region, The Municipality of Rimini and the Rimini and San Marino International Airport. Taking place on 18-20 May, the European route development community will unite in Rimini to participate in network-defining meetings.
