This year’s TFWA Asia Pacific & GATE ONE2ONE exhibition illustrated the optimism within the region, as 178 exhibitors welcomed their business partners throughout a largely positive show. Contributing to the energy of the event, this year the exhibition welcomed a record number of new exhibitors, with 44 new and returning companies.

Fragrances and cosmetics, representing a quarter of all exhibitors, remains the biggest category at the exhibition, as it is in the industry, with liquor and tobacco accounting for 14% of exhibitors. And the jewellery and watches category also maintained its strong showing at Singapore, representing 17% of exhibitors.

Fashion and accessories is one of the fastest growing categories at the exhibition, reflecting its growing importance in the market. Gifts and electronics also continues to grow, and is reflected in the number of such companies exhibiting, while the tobacco category remains a mainstay of the exhibition.

As the video shows, exhibiting companies have many and varied reasons for exhibiting at TFWA Asia Pacific & GATE ONE2ONE, but most agree on two things: first, that after a difficult period the prospects for the regional industry are strengthening; and second, that TFWA Asia Pacific & GATE ONE2ONE is an important event for building a brand’s duty free and travel retail business in the region.