GENEVA, Jan. 23 (Xinhua) -- The southern coastal city of Guangzhou, China's third largest, showcased itself Tuesday to participants at the annual Davos meeting on Tuesday as the host of World Routes 2018, a major civil aviation event.

"World Routes is the only truly global event in the civil aviation industry calendar in which the most senior decision makers from the world's airlines, airports, governments and tourism authorities participate," said Sun Xiuqing, Chairman of Guangzhou Aerotropolis Development District.

Speaking during the World Economic Forum annual meeting, he said that since its launch in 1995, the event's reputation has gained increasing recognition within the global aviation industry.

"World Routes is often referred to as the aviation industry's equivalent of the Olympic Games and the World Expo," said Sun.

World Routes has over the past two decades been held in leading global cities such as London, Amsterdam, Copenhagen, Dubai, Chicago and Beijing.

This year, during Sept. 15-18, Guangzhou will become the host city of the 24th World Routes featuring a major exhibition as well as a series of seminars and forums.

The city says it will host some 3,500 delegates including representatives from over 300 airlines, 700 airports and 130 tourism authorities.