FRANCE. Last week’s TFWA World Exhibition & Conference in Cannes welcomed a record number of retail buyers and landlords (mainly airports), said organiser Tax Free World Association (TFWA).
The number of visitors in the ‘key buyer’ category reached 2,861, a rise of +4% on the 2023 number, which was up +15% on the previous year. A total of 141 landlord companies attended, including over 80 international airports, with airlines, cruise and ferry companies also strongly represented. Many travel retailers came with considerably larger delegations than previous years, said TFWA.
Overall 7,456 delegates attended Cannes, up +2% on 2023. There were 462 exhibitors representing brands across all categories, occupying over 25,000sq m of exhibition space in the Palais des Festivals.
TFWA President Erik Juul-Mortensen said: “It brings me great joy that the final TFWA World Exhibition & Conference I attended in the capacity of President was such a resounding success, and it was an occasion that many of us will remember for years to come.
“It is a testament to the strength of the industry and our shared commitment to growth that more landlords than ever before came this year to Cannes. The impressive number of people who joined us on the beach on Wednesday went to show that networking outside of working hours remains a key element in the success of our events.
“As we begin to look towards next year’s dates in Singapore and Cannes, I’m convinced that this momentum will propel us to even greater heights in 2025.”
Click here for our day-by-day coverage of a memorable Cannes event last week. ✈️
