FRANCE. The number of duty free and travel retail operators at this year’s TFWA World Exhibition were up by +7% on 2016’s 1,918 buyers to 2,045.
Revealing the provisional attendance figures as of Wednesday 3 October, TFWA President Erik Juul-Mortensen said during the closing press conference, in total, the event welcomed 6,517 visitors, up +5% compared to the same time last year, and already up from the final 2016 figure of 6,443.
A total of 577 companies from duty free operators were represented at the show, a positive number taking into account consolidation in the industry said Juul-Mortensen.
Travel retail landlord numbers were up by +8%, however, the number of agents attending posed a disappointing turnout with a -5% drop to 2,340 versus 2,472 people in 2016, and -4% in companies. “It is clear the number has been affected by the mid-autumn holiday in Korea, but we will analyse this further,” he stated.
Press delegates, however, posed a “pleasing” turnout, said Juul-Mortensen, with a +5% increase in people and +14% in companies – particularly as the TFWA invited more consumer press this year.
“The media is an extremely important part of activities. Widening out our perspective and coverage to include more [consumer press], serves to convey the message of travel retail to the world.”
There were 514 exhibiting companies compared to 492 companies last year (+4.5%), across 490 stands compared with 472 stands in 2016 (+3.8%). This included 15 official boats in Harbour Village and 63 new/returning companies.
The number of new/returning companies is a high figure as we normally at about 50. We are pleased to able to accommodate them,” he added.
Conference & workshops
“The conference element of the TFWA here and in Singapore and China has become a very important part of what we do. It is constantly growing and the task is to make this continue,” said Juul-Mortensen.
Conference attendance on Monday 2 October saw 1,643 attendees versus 1,634 last year (+0.6%).
Three workshops highlighting pertinent points of discussion for the industry took place. Tuesday morning’s Digital Focus Workshop was particularly popular, and oversubscribed at 237 delegates (+55%). Last year’s Market Watch Russia workshop on the same date in 2016 captured 157 attendees.
The Inflight Focus Workshop on Wednesday 4 October saw 195 attendees versus 174 in 2016, showing the inflight continues to be important. “It has been under pressure but there is a clear interest and need [for insight],” Juul-Mortensen pointed out.
The TFWA Research Workshop, however, experienced a disappointing turnout. Taking place on Wednesday 4 October after the show, only 54 people attended compared to 89 in 2016. The TFWA will be looking into why delegate numbers are down, and whether the timing of the event is a factor.
The TFWA Digital Village made its debut this year with 33 exhibitors across 840sq m within the Gare Maritime. The Village opened on Wednesday 4 October (the Opening Cocktail took place the prior evening at the Majestic Barriere), and despite some complaints from exhibitors that the event should be opened earlier in the week, attendance was hailed as “outstanding” by exhibitors speaking to the Moodie Davitt Report.
Networking and Social Events
The Opening Cocktail, held at the Carlton Hotel Beach welcomed 1,642 revellers, slightly down from last year. TFWA board members cited security as a possible dampener on attendance figures. The TFWA Digital Village Opening Cocktail had 230 people in attendance, good news for the first-of-its-kind event.
- TFWA Charity Run: 106 participants vs 111 in 2016
- Yoga: 31 participants vs 26 last year (sponsored by Rituals)
- Regatta: 38 participants vs 39 last year (sponsored by Paul & Shark)
- Pétanque: 84 participants vs 87 last year
- Golf: 91 participants (organised in partnership with Estée Lauder)
The One to one meeting service has gone from strength-to-strength with 302 pre-arranged meetings versus 220 last year. The Digital Village One to One service saw 163 pre-arranged meetings; “a great result for the first year”.
70 years of duty free
As 2017 marks the 70th anniversary of duty free, it also marks a change for the TFWA as John Rimmer takes over as Managing Director, while Alain Maingreaud, who has held the role since 2010, assumes a new part-time position as Associate Director.
Juul-Mortensen thanked Maingreaud for his 15 years and officially welcomed Rimmer at the closing press conference. “We are absolutely delighted that we are able to make these changes and work closely with both going forward. We have lots of plans, which will all come into fruition [shortly].”
One of which will be the launch of the new TFWA website, which will be revealed in the coming weeks.
Juul-Mortensen also hailed the visuals of the 70 years of duty free campaign which were heavily used throughout the conference and around the exhibition.
“Given the result and spread the reaction has been remarkable. We know that there are more airports working on it and we will see more in next years or so. It is a great wat to mark the anniversary and a good way to relay to opinion formers about the importance of duty free and non-aeronautical revenue.”
The next event for the TFWA is the MEADFA Conference taking place in Beirut from 20-21 November.
