Tackling the big topics

Accounting for over $5 billion of DF&TR turnover last year (source: Generation), the Middle East and Africa is experiencing a robust recovery with passenger growth above the global average according to ACI World and traffic forecast to exceed 2019 levels early next year. Yet the challenges confronting the region will be familiar to industry executives everywhere. How to navigate a commercial landscape reshaped by Covid where airport, retailer, brand and, crucially, traveller expectations have changed? The programme of the forthcoming MEAFDA Conference in Ghana meets these challenges head-on.

For this visit to Accra, the Conference naturally has a strong African focus. Staged at the Kempinski Hotel in Accra’s Gold Coast City, the event will host speakers from Ghanaian and Egyptian airports alongside travel retailers Dufry/Avolta (Conference host), Gebr. Heinemann, Lagardère Travel Retail and Tourvest Retail Services. JTI Worldwide and Beam Suntory will be among the brands represented, while travel retail specialist Pi Insight will share the results of an exclusive study on MEA travellers. Euromonitor will offer a High Street perspective, with airline and tourism viewpoints from IATA and UNWTO Africa respectively. The Duty Free World Council will also update delegates on advocacy initiatives.

Eight sessions over two days will examine the airport retail model, current traveller behaviour, the local aviation market and regulatory issues like the World Health Organization’s Illicit Trade Protocol, which has important implications for DF&TR globally. Other topics include African shoppers and innovation in action. The opening cocktail, gala dinner, coffee breaks and lunches will encourage networking. Registration for the event is now open at tfwa.com and, with interest already strong, DF&TR professionals should secure their place as soon as possible.

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View the full conference programme