INDIA. The Asia Pacific Travel Retail Association (APTRA) has said the expected strong gathering at next week’s APTRA India Conference underlines the industry’s resilience amid geopolitical turbulence.
Around 300 delegates are expected to attend the event, which takes place in Bengaluru on 25-27 March in partnership with Platinum Host, Bangalore International Airport Limited.
Sunil Tuli, President of APTRA and Group Chief Executive King Power Group (Hong Hong), said, “Despite current geopolitical challenges impacting international travel, delegates booked for the APTRA India conference are showing remarkable determination and creativity in their journey-planning to attend the conference and ensure they benefit from the programme’s multiple insights and perspectives on the powerhouse that is the Indian travel retail market.”
Delegations from leading retailers across India and worldwide include ARI, Avolta, Bommidala, Flemingo, GMR, Heinemann, IRHPL, King Power Group, Lagardère and Ospree Duty Free.
“The travel retail sector thrives on our ability to adapt and grow together,” said Flemingo Promoter Atul Ahuja, whose company is an Event Partner.
“Collaboration and innovation are essential for success in today’s landscape and we believe it is important to support the work of APTRA across the Indian subcontinent and the broader Asia Pacific region. We look forward to exploring new opportunities with our peers at the APTRA India Conference in Bangalore.”
Several key executives from Ospree Duty Free and the Flemingo group will feature as panellists, including PK Thimmayya, CEO of ISC, MEA & Europe at Flemingo International; Mudit Shrivastava, COO of Cococart India; and Nandhini Srinivasan, Head of Buying & Merchandising at Flemingo Duty Free.
An Ospree Duty Free spokesperson commented, “We are incredibly proud to continue our support of the APTRA India Conference as a Lunch Partner, following our involvement as Platinum Host Partner in 2025. This event is a vital platform for our business and we are excited for the opportunity to connect directly with industry leaders and our supplier partners to help shape the future of India’s vibrant travel retail market.”
Other Gold Partners include Avolta, Bommidala Heinemann Retail Services and Whyte & Mackay, with King Power Thailand, Lacoste, Pernod Ricard Travel Retail and Suntory Global Spirits as Silver Partners.
Avolta President & CEO, Asia Pacific Freda Cheung and Chief Digital, Data and Technology Officer Vijay Talwar will each join panel discussions on the Indian market’s development including relevant AI applications and the evolution of consumer expectations.
Freda Cheung said, “Asia Pacific is central to Avolta’s growth strategy and our participation as a Gold Partner at the APTRA India Conference reflects how seriously we take collaboration across the region.
“Progress in this market happens when airports, brand partners and industry peers share perspectives and focus on what works in practice. APTRA provides exactly that setting, a platform for open, solutions-driven dialogue that turns partnership into tangible results. We look forward to contributing to the conversations in Bangalore and to advancing ideas that support execution, long-term value creation, and sustainable growth for the whole industry.”
Lunch sessions are sponsored by Changi Airport Group alongside Ospree Duty Free. Evening receptions feature drinks partners Aspri Spirits, Gulf Beverages, Rampur, Jura and Whyte & Mackay.
Other partners include Voiceback Analytics (AI Partner), m1nd-set (Insights Partner) and Duty-Free News International (Media Partner), whose Editor Kapila Ireland will moderate several panel discussions.
Support from the confectionery and food categories is represented by Cococart, Haribo, Hershey’s, Lindt, Mondelez and BIAL’s Zero Eight Zero lounge concept. Additional event partners include Choya, Coty and Khadlaj Perfumes.
