HONG KONG. A strong attendance of over 80 travel retail executives joined the APTRA Exchange in person knowledge-sharing event on 3 September in Hong Kong. With the theme, ‘Developing Strategies for Travel Retail Recovery’, this was the first large-scale event in the travel retail community since the start of the pandemic, said organiser the Asia Pacific Travel Retail Association (APTRA).
The session took place at Duddells Restaurant & Bar, Shanghai Tang Mansion, with comprehensive updates on the industry from six speakers. They included: ACI Asia-Pacific Director General Stefano Baronci; SSP Chief Development Officer Asia Pacific Jonathan Robinson; Hong Kong International Airport Assistant General Manager Retail Portfolio Lois Chan; CircleSquare Managing Partner Stephane Zermatten; The Moodie Davitt Report Founder & Chairman Martin Moodie and KPMG Hong Kong Head of Consumer & Retail Anson Bailey.
APTRA President Sunil Tuli said: “APTRA is thrilled to have welcomed a large component of the travel retail community based here in Hong Kong to the APTRA Exchange, along with members of the wider retail and aviation community too. We are very grateful to our valued industry colleagues for sharing such insightful perspectives from across the industry and the broader dynamics of aviation and consumer behaviour.
“It was clear from the enthusiastic response just how much our industry values – and is eager to get back to – in-person meetings and events. Networking is a vital component of how we do business at its best and, as your trade association, APTRA is very proud to have delivered this first large-scale, in-person industry event in 2021.”
There was strong representation from brand owners and other industry stakeholders at the event.
Cartier Global Travel Retail Director Virginie Martignac said: “The presenters offered such different perspectives. There were insights and opportunities for some good discussion.”
Pernod Ricard Travel Retail Asia Managing Director, North Asia Business Unit Simon Van Moppes added: “It was good to see so many industry colleagues. It’s a job well done, and nothing beats a face to face experience.”
Running since 2015, The APTRA Exchange has been staged in various locations across Asia Pacific, bringing together industry leaders to discuss topics of interest to the regional industry.
