The Middle East and Africa stand at the convergence of some of the world's most profound geopolitical, economic and demographic shifts. As new trade corridors emerge, tourism patterns evolve and governments invest heavily in connectivity, infrastructure and destination development, the region is redefining its role on the global stage.
What do these transformations mean for travel retail? This opening keynote examines the forces reshaping tourism, mobility and consumer behaviour across MEA, exploring the opportunities, risks and strategic choices that lie ahead. In a rapidly changing landscape, understanding the bigger picture is no longer optional—it is essential for every business seeking to navigate the future of the channel. Speaker to be confirmed.
Passenger growth across the Middle East and Africa continues to accelerate, yet the operating environment has rarely been more complex. Geopolitical tensions, evolving travel patterns and economic uncertainty are reshaping global aviation, exposing the fragility of established networks while creating new challenges for airports, airlines and travel retailers.
Bringing together a powerhouse line-up of industry leaders, this CEO panel features Abdeslam Agzoul, Avolta; Nuno Amaral, Aer Rianta International; Ramesh Cidambi, Dubai Duty Free; Chichi Maponya, Africa Travel Retail; Vincent Romet, Lagardère Travel Retail; and Bernard Schlafstein, Gebr. Heinemann. Together, they will explore the forces redefining travel retail across MEA—from geopolitical disruption and shifting traveller behaviour to rising costs, investment priorities and long-term growth strategies. As resilience becomes a competitive advantage, where are the greatest opportunities emerging, and what will it take to lead successfully through a new era of uncertainty?
Morocco has long connected continents. Today, it is connecting opportunity with ambition, emerging as one of the region's most dynamic tourism and aviation markets.
This session will hear from Isaías Díaz, General Manager Africa, Avolta and Anthony Courchet, General Manager, International Duty Free Shops Morocco who will share their perspectives on the country's evolving travel retail landscape. From changing traveller profiles and commercial opportunities to the role of destination branding and infrastructure investment, the discussion will explore why Morocco's growth story matters well beyond its borders.
As the regulatory landscape evolves, safeguarding the future of duty free and travel retail has become a shared industry responsibility. Around the world, regulatory scrutiny is intensifying, while public health campaigns, fiscal pressures and shifting political priorities continue to challenge the industry. What are the most significant threats facing travel retail today? And how should the industry respond?
Featuring Nuno Amaral, MEADFA Advocacy Lead, Sarah Branquinho, President of the Duty Free World Council (DFWC), Ali Tounsi, Secretary General at ACI Africa, and John Hume, Senior Advisor at Penta, this advocacy update will examine the latest regulatory developments and the collective action needed to protect the industry's future. The session will be moderated by John Rimmer.
Recent disruptions across Middle Eastern airspace have highlighted the interconnected nature of global aviation and the importance of resilient travel networks.
Drawing on the latest Amadeus data and market intelligence, Marina Giuliano, Vice President, Brands, Retailers & Media, explores how passenger flows are evolving across the Middle East and Africa, where growth opportunities are emerging, and what the future of connectivity means for travel retail performance.
Sport is no longer just entertainment—it is a powerful catalyst for tourism, investment and economic growth. From the FIFA World Cup and the Olympic Games to Formula 1 and global running events, major sporting spectacles are reshaping travel patterns, elevating destinations and creating new opportunities for businesses across the visitor economy.
As the Middle East and Africa continue to attract some of the world's biggest sporting events, the convergence of sport, tourism and retail is creating significant new opportunities for the travel retail industry. In this closing session, Tony Simpson, Partner and Sports Industry Lead, and Faycal Baddou, Partner, Retail and Consumer Goods, at Oliver Wyman, will explore how airports, retailers and brands can harness the momentum of major sporting events to drive customer engagement, enhance the passenger experience and deliver sustainable commercial growth.
Opening keynote with Thabet Musleh, Chief Retail and Hospitality Officer, Qatar Airways
Africa's travel and tourism sector is entering an exciting new chapter. Investments in infrastructure, expanding air connectivity and a growing appetite for intra-African travel are reshaping the continent's visitor economy, while evolving consumer markets are creating fresh opportunities for the travel retail industry.
Joining the discussion, Naledi Khabo, President, Africa Tourism Association, Ali Tounsi, Secretary General, ACI Africa and fellow industry leaders will explore the trends driving growth across the continent, the innovations transforming the traveller experience, and the partnerships that will shape the next phase of development. Where are the greatest opportunities emerging, and what will define success for Africa's travel ecosystem in the years ahead?
For decades, airports enjoyed a unique advantage: access to a captive audience. Today, that advantage is being challenged. Shopping malls, lifestyle destinations and digital-first brands are reinventing the consumer experience through entertainment, personalisation and social engagement.
Are they setting a new benchmark for retail? And if so, what lessons should travel retail be learning? This session explores how consumer expectations are changing—and whether travel retail is evolving fast enough to keep pace.
Sustainability is no longer a differentiator. It is becoming an expectation. Travellers, regulators and investors increasingly expect measurable action rather than ambitious promises. But what does meaningful progress actually look like in travel retail?
Dr Munif Mohammed, Head of the MEADFA Sustainability Committee and CEO, Lagardère Travel Retail Middle East, will provide an update on the progress of the MEADFA Sustainability Charter and share how Lagardère Travel Retail Middle East is advancing its own sustainability agenda. Joining him, Saskia Möller, Director Legal, Compliance & Sustainability, Gebr. Heinemann, will offer insights into Gebr. Heinemann's sustainability journey, highlighting the practical steps, challenges and lessons learned along the way.
Everyone is talking about AI. Few truly understand what it means for their business.
In this closing keynote, Professor Hajar Mousannif, a leading expert in artificial intelligence and machine learning, separates reality from hype and explores how organisations are using AI to improve decision-making, efficiency and customer engagement. As AI increasingly influences how people search, shop and travel, what opportunities—and challenges—could lie ahead for travel retail?