SINGAPORE/INTERNATIONAL. The Tax Free World Association (TFWA) has reported that the 2024 TFWA Asia Pacific Exhibition & Conference achieved a +3.2% increase in visitors this year with 3,126 attendees.
The number of representatives from duty-free and travel retail operators and landlords stood at 1,208, a -6.43% fall against last year’s total.
The number of companies exhibiting (234 across space of 9,750sq m) however was up sharply by +17%, with 75 of those exhibitors new additions to the show floor or returning after an absence.
The TFWA Asia Pacific Conference on Monday 13 May drew a substantial audience, with the delegate numbers similar to last year. Some 222 delegates attended the China Watch workshop on Tuesday 14 May, while 151 were at the Decoding Today’s Dwell Time workshop the following day.
Meanwhile, the TFWA ONE2ONE meeting service this year facilitated a record 1,312 on-site meetings across the week.
The TFWA Asia Pacific social events were once again very popular, with a record 1,181 guests attending the opening cocktail event at the Flower Dome, Gardens by the Bay, up +16.2% against the 1,016 that attended last year.
On Wednesday night, 650 guests were at the Full Moon party at the Singapore Social Club in Sentosa, also a record for TFWA’s mid-week social events in Singapore. The TFWA Asia Pacific Lounge welcomed over 600 guests each evening during the week.
TFWA has confirmed the 2025 TFWA Asia Pacific Exhibition & Conference will take place from 11-15 May, once again at the Marina Bay Sands Expo & Convention Centre in Singapore.
TFWA President Erik Juul-Mortensen commented: “As we mark our 40th anniversary, the 2024 TFWA Asia Pacific Exhibition & Conference has been a resounding success. The week got off to a great start with the Welcome Cocktail at Gardens by the Bay, and throughout the event there has been an electric atmosphere – all of those here have been in remarkable spirits.
“We are very pleased with what we have seen and the buzz we have all felt. The large number of attendees from all corners of the world coming together to do business has been very gratifying.”
He added: “The conference speakers were an inspiration and the new format to the conference layout proved to be highly engaging, while the quality of the exhibition was outstanding. As always, our team worked tirelessly to ensure a memorable event for all delegates, and we are grateful for the support from our partners and sponsors.
“This event will be a tough act to follow later this year in Cannes, but we are delighted to have set the bar so high, and we look forward to seeing you all again at the TFWA World Exhibition & Conference in October.”
Read our comprehensive coverage of the 2024 TFWA Asia Pacific Exhibition & Conference here.
In other events news, the TFWA managed-MEADFA Conference will take place on 17-19 November in Abu Dhabi. Details to follow. ✈
