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Edmonton International Airport led a delegation of tourism partners to Amsterdam this weekend to participate in the 100th anniversary of KLM Royal Dutch Airlines.
KLM is the first airline in the world to celebrate 100 years of continuous air service under the same name and celebrated with a large-scale tourism and event showcase. Led by Tom Ruth, president and CEO of EIA, in partnership with tourism officials from Edmonton and Jasper, the delegation connected with KLM leaders and their global partners to grow this region’s tourism sector.
“One hundred years of air service is an amazing accomplishment and we want to congratulate KLM for being a part of our community and helping our passengers travel the world through KLM’s remarkable global network,” said Ruth. “As demand for air travel continues to grow, we look forward to a long and successful partnership and another 100 years success for KLM.”
The airline’s official 100th birthday is Monday, Oct. 7 and to recognize the event, EIA held a special celebration in its terminal building on Sunday with the scheduled KLM flight as well as promotions happening with special contests for passengers and other activities.
“Congratulations to KLM for celebrating 100 years of service to their customers. They are an important partner for Alberta’s tourism sector and a key partner with Edmonton International Airport. I look forward to what the future holds for Alberta and KLM,” said Tanya Fir, minister of Economic Development, Trade and Tourism for the Government of Alberta.
“Congratulations to KLM on their 100th anniversary,” said Maggie Davison, vice-president, Edmonton Tourism. “KLM has proven to be an innovative partner and along with our Alberta industry partners, has made great strides in building the European inbound tourism market to the Edmonton region. Year-round visitation is important to help drive the visitor economy, and we very much look forward to the next 100 years of solid partnership.”
“One of the most important aspects to building the tourism business in Jasper is access to European markets via direct air service through Edmonton International Airport,” said James Jackson, CEO and president of Tourism Jasper. “The work that EIA has spearheaded in Amsterdam with KLM and across Europe is a huge benefit to not only Jasper, but the entire Northern Alberta region. Trips like this are integral to positioning Edmonton and Jasper as premier international leisure destinations.”
EIA, together with its tourism partners Edmonton Tourism, Edmonton Destination Marketing Hotels, Tourism Jasper and Travel Alberta are active in promoting Edmonton and Jasper as must-see destinations for visitors from the Netherlands, Belgium, Germany and other international markets. Edmonton and region have experience marked growth in inbound European tourism numbers based on great adventures in Jasper National Park, renewed city attractions such as the Ice District and Fort Edmonton and offerings in Edmonton and new offerings at EIA including Century Mile Racetrack and Casino and the Premium Outlet Collection.
Visitors to Edmonton via EIA’s European air service contribute tens of millions of dollars to the regional economy. Securing these trans-Atlantic flights and pursing others is an ongoing priority for EIA.
While in Amsterdam, the Edmonton and Jasper delegation highlighted winter tourism to the region with targeted promotional efforts focusing on Canada’s great snow conditions, vibrant winter festivals, Indigenous and rural tourism experiences and the quick flight time from Amsterdam.
Edmonton’s presence in Amsterdam featured interactive video displays, promotional materials and opportunities to book a trip to Edmonton and Jasper with KLM.
Since 2015, KLM has offered non-stop service between Edmonton and Amsterdam with connections to over 120 destinations in Europe, Africa and the Middle East. The flight has seen significant increases each year in international passengers travelling to Edmonton from key inbound markets such as the Netherlands, Germany, U.K. and Belgium. Visitor traffic continues be an important element of success for the flight, along with the cargo traffic and continued economic and business development opportunities the flight brings.
