INTERNATIONAL. This year’s TFWA World Exhibition attracted 2,129 visitors from the key categories of duty free & travel retail operators and landlords, down by -2% on 2015. The number of companies represented in this category (649) is the same as last year, TFWA confirmed.
In total, 6,443 visitors attended the event, down by -2% from 6,558 last year. They represented 2,948 companies, down by -3% on 2015.
Speaking at last week’s closing press conference in Cannes, TFWA President Erik Juul-Mortensen said: “We were anxious going into the week given what has happened in the world around us. We have seen an impact on numbers but it has not been significant.
“People accepted that we needed increased security in the wake of the terrible events in Nice, and we were not sure what effect these would have. But apart from some teething problems these generally went smoothly.”
He added: “It is also our view that the change of dates to early October was a positive move. It was overwhelmingly voted for by our members though we recognise that whatever dates we chose, it would not suit everybody.
“The coincidence with Jewish New Year was an issue, though it won’t clash next year. With Golden Week we had fewer Chinese visitors though not a dramatic drop and most of the major companies attended.”
This year’s exhibition occupied a total of 22,475.55sq m space, up +2.9% compared to 2015. This year there were 492 exhibiting brands on 472 stands, including ten official boats in Harbour Village. This is an increase of +2.1% compared to last year when there were 482 exhibiting brands on 462 stands. For the first time this year, Beach Village featured two marquees. Some 59 of this year’s exhibitors were new or returning companies, noted TFWA.
The association also noted a record high attendance at the Monday conference of 1,634, an increase of +8.6% from the figure in 2015.
The opening cocktail on Sunday welcomed 1,737 guests, which was also a record high.
In separate TFWA news, the association is tendering the hosting rights for its Asia Pacific event. There has been strong interest from other cities in the region, noted TFWA, with an announcement due in December on the host location from 2018. Next year’s TFWA Asia Pacific will be held from 7-11 May in Singapore.
