QATAR. The Middle East and Africa Duty Free Association (MEADFA) Conference is underway in Doha, Qatar, with an Opening Cocktail at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel providing a stylish prelude to the main programme today.
The hotel’s Fountain Courtyard was the setting for the event last night, hosted by Dufry Sharjah and with Pernod Ricard providing the drinks.
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The Fountain Courtyard at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel was the venue for the Opening Cocktail |
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Commencing this morning, the main conference programme features a keynote address delivered by Qatar Duty Free Senior Vice President Keith Hunter and sessions on the industry’s understanding of the African consumer and a round-table discussion on the future for airport retail in the Middle East.
There will also be a workshop on innovation in inflight retail and a session focusing on deepening the industry’s understanding of the African consumer.
In his introduction to the MEADFA Official Guide 2013, published by The Moodie Report, MEADFA President Sean Staunton delivered an upbeat assessment of trading in this dynamic region. He said: “We see travel booming and big investment in infrastructure, with the quality of space and of retail standards improving all the time.”
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Dubai Duty Free Vice President – Marketing Sinead El Sibai, Executive Vice Chairman Colm McLoughlin and Vice President-Purchasing Saba Tahir |
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Almaserv General Manager Mehdi Ghassemi, Qatar Duty Free Senior Retail Operations Manager Jaspaul Singh Brar and Silhouette International Head of Global Travel Retail Joel Jelderks |
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Barry Global Innovation Founder Barry Geoghegan, Freixenet Group Global Duty Free & Travel Retail Manager Philippe Jamme and Freixenet Group Managing Director Damian Clarke |
This year’s conference takes place in a market that typifies the rise and rise of travel, aviation and travel retail in the Middle East. In 1997, Qatar was anything but an aviation powerhouse, with a national airline that boasted just a handful of aircraft.
Today, under the leadership of CEO Akbar Al Baker, Qatar Airways serves more than 130 destinations in 70 countries across the Middle East, Europe, Africa, North and South America, Asia and Australasia – driven by a relentless focus on quality and backed by major investment.
Both the airline and its subsidiary, Qatar Duty Free, will usher in a new era with the opening of Hamad International Airport – where the high-class design, consumer services and retail and F&B operations are set to wow passengers.
Delegates at the conference were given a taste of the new airport with a tour of the facility earlier on Sunday, led by representatives of Qatar Duty Free. The company will take charge of 25,000sq m of retail and food & beverage space once the airport opens next year.
The Moodie Report will bring more updates and images from the conference soon.
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Dufry Sharjah hosted the event while Pernod Ricard provided the drinks |
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Earlier in the day, delegates were taken on a tour of Hamad International Airport |
