HONG KONG, CHINA. The Asia Pacific Travel Retail Association (APTRA) has announced that only a few tickets remain for its North Asia Forum, taking place at the Hopewell Hotel in Wan Chai, Hong Kong on 12 November.
The afternoon forum and evening networking programme will bring together airports, retailers, brands and research specialists to examine changing consumer behaviour across North Asia and its implications for travel retail.
Discussions will focus on category mix, traveller engagement and the role of airport space in encouraging discovery and spending.
The programme will also consider how domestic market trends influence travellers’ purchasing decisions.
APTRA President and King Power Group (Hong Kong) Group Chief Executive Sunil Tuli said, “With just ten days to go and only a few tickets left, we’re looking forward to a full room and a valuable, highly interactive programme.
“Our outstanding line-up brings together cross-sector leaders and experts from several key markets on vital topics that matter today and for the future development of the industry. If you haven’t yet booked, now is the time.”
Tickets cost US$150, which APTRA said is intended to cover costs in keeping with its not-for-profit status.
Remaining places can be booked here.
Programme: 2pm-5.30pm
Gateway to growth: Retail at HKIA and the new Terminal 2
Airport Authority Hong Kong General Manager, Retail & Advertising Esther Lui will present on retail at Hong Kong International Airport and the new Terminal 2.
Their time, their way: The new airside journey
The first panel will examine how airports can adapt airside spaces to travellers’ preferences, with an emphasis on personalisation, curation and giving passengers greater choice over how they spend their time.
Bangalore International Airport Limited Chief Marketing Officer Shalini Rao will host the discussion.
Joining her will be Kansai Airports Deputy Chief Commercial Officer, Non-Aero Valerie Chuong; Regent Travel Retail Group Founder & CEO Chim Esteban; Lacoste Travel Retail & Corporate Director Asia Pacific Erin Lillis; and Avolta Managing Director, North Asia Michael Wong.
The Chinese traveller rewired: Where demand is going, what travellers want and how AI is reshaping the journey
China Trading Desk Founder & CEO Subramania Bhatt will explore Chinese traveller demand, consumer preferences and the influence of artificial intelligence on the travel journey.
North Asia travel shopper research
m1nd-set Business Development Director Anna Marchesini will present research on North Asian travel shoppers.
The right mix: Curating categories for the new North Asian traveller
The second panel will consider how travel retail can respond to shifting category preferences, narrowing price differences with domestic markets and expectations shaped by social media.
Discussion will cover beauty and wellness, niche fragrance, collectables and hybrid retail concepts, alongside the role of exclusivity, retail theatre and personalisation.
Panellists will also examine how airports can respond more quickly to trends through pop-ups and product drops.
Blueprint Partner Karl Walter will host the session.
He will be joined by TMA Company, Japan CEO & President Shogo Ando; Dodeka International, Korea CEO & Founder Sean Kim; The Bluebell Group President & CEO, Mainland China, Hong Kong & Macau Jenny Lai; Heinemann Asia Pacific Regional Commercial Director Ranjith Menon; and Biosota Organics CEO Andrey Zubko.
WiTR+ drinks reception: 5.30pm-6.30pm
A WiTR+ drinks reception will follow the forum.
Networking evening: 6.30pm-10pm
The event will conclude with a networking evening on Level 58, featuring canapés, wine courtesy of Global Drinks and cocktails courtesy of Pernod Ricard Global Travel Retail. ✈
