INDIA. The Asia Pacific Travel Retail Association (APTRA) has hailed the success of its India Conference in Delhi, which last week played host to 250 delegates from the travel retail community. APTRA confirmed that the event will return in early 2025, with the location to be announced in the coming weeks.
The Moodie Davitt Report Founder & Chairman Martin Moodie was on location, with detailed highlights to follow soon.
The conference, a new annual initiative of the association, focused on the Indian travel retail market and the growing retail influence of the outbound Indian consumer in other markets.
In keeping with APTRA’s NFP status, all profits from the event will be invested into the association’s support for the industry across Asia Pacific, including research, events and advocacy.
Last week’s conference drew strong support from APTRA’s partners including long-standing member Delhi Duty Free Services, which joined as Platinum Host Partner. Recently joining the association, Gulf Beverages & African-Eastern was a Prestige Partner for the event.
The conference programme featured insights from industry experts, as well as a keynote address from Manisha Saxena, Director General, Tourism, Government of India. It focused on the cornerstone developments in tourism, aviation, retail, consumer insights and perspectives, development trends in core and new categories.
APTRA President and King Power Group (Hong Kong) Group Chief Executive Sunil Tuli said: “I am absolutely thrilled with the inaugural APTRA India Conference; it was an honour to have the Director General Tourism, Government of India join us to update on tourism, the backbone to travel retail.
“I would like to thank all other speakers for their detailed content and insights; and for the support from so many partners – Aperol, Changi Airport Group, Gulf Beverages & African-Eastern, Lindt, Nestle and Voiceback Analytics – in helping us provide valuable networking opportunities.
“Additionally, thanks to Beam Suntory, Dubai Duty Free, Mondelez, Pernod Ricard, Whyte & Mackay for their Gold partnerships and to our Silver partners, Heinemann, King Power Group and to Lacoste as Apparel Partner and Enviro-Point as sustainable delegate bag partner. Thanks also to the two evening event hosts, Diageo and Bacardi, for hosting spectacular celebrations, showcasing how premium spirits are hand in hand with cocktail culture in India.”
He added: “I would especially like to recognise APTRA’s Executive Director Anne Kavanagh, supported by Sharolyn Paul, for delivering this exceptional event as a team of just two people. The success has inspired us to plan for more events that help the industry understand the power, purpose and potential of key markets in Asia Pacific, including India.
“I am delighted to confirm that the APTRA India Conference 2025 will take place in early 2025 and we will confirm the location in the coming weeks.” ✈
