SLOVENIA. Collaboration and partnership across the airport ecosystem and how it can benefit travel retail was a central theme at the annual conference organised by the Central & Eastern European Travel Retail Association (CEETRA), which took place in Kranjska Gora, Slovenia on 10-12 June.
Hosted by Fraport Slovenija – Ljubljana Airport in partnership with the Kranjska Gora Tourism Board, the event titled CEETRA & Friends 2026 brought together airports, travel retailers, airlines, brand owners and industry partners from across Central and Eastern Europe.
Opening the conference, CEETRA President Andrzej Miłaszewicz emphasised the association’s mission to strengthen cooperation between partners while supporting the exchange of expertise and best practices across Central and Eastern Europe.
Participants were welcomed by Ljubljana Airport CEO Juergen Deischl, who outlined the evolving role of airports as integrated commercial destinations where passenger experience, retail, food & beverage, services and technology come together to create value. He underlined that customer experience has become one of the key competitive differentiators for modern airports.
Representing the host destination, Luka Vrančič of the Kranjska Gora Tourism Board highlighted the region’s growing appeal as a venue for international business events.
Towards an integrated commercial ecosystem
The conference focused on the integration of commercial activities within airports, highlighting how closer cooperation between airports, airlines, retailers, food & beverage operators, technology providers and research partners is reshaping passenger experience while driving non-aeronautical revenue growth.
The programme featured research presented by m1nd-set Founder Peter Mohn, who together with airport F&B expert Christopher Dunham-Haigh and Alan Bork, Member of the CEETRA Board, explored the complementary relationship between food & beverage and travel retail.
Delegates also received an update on the latest political, regulatory and market developments affecting European travel retail during a session delivered in cooperation with the European Travel Retail Confederation (ETRC), which provided insight into the opportunities and challenges facing the sector.
One of the programme’s highlights was the panel discussion. ‘Operating Through Permanent Disruption: When Crises Cascade Across the Travel Ecosystem’, moderated by Baltona CEO Wojciech Czernek as the company celebrates its 80th anniversary.
Representatives of LOT Polish Airlines, Poznań Airport and PORT Polska/CPK discussed how airports, airlines and travel retail businesses can strengthen resilience in an environment shaped by continuing geopolitical, economic and regulatory disruption.
Data-driven commercial development
As host airport, Ljubljana Airport presented its commercial development strategy, demonstrating how retail, food & beverage, parking and advertising solutions are managed as part of a “seamless passenger journey designed to enhance both customer satisfaction and commercial performance”.
Further sessions highlighted the growing importance of data and analytics in commercial decision-making. Visa Consulting & Analytics showcased how payment data can provide valuable insights into tourism flows and traveller behaviour, while Slovenian research company Arhea presented its long-term passenger research programme developed jointly with Fraport Slovenija, illustrating how continuous passenger insight supports strategic commercial planning.
The conference concluded with a presentation by PROprima, examining emerging trends in airport food & beverage and the increasingly important role of hospitality concepts in creating differentiated passenger experiences.
Business relationships
A defining feature of CEETRA & Friends, said organisers, is its informal format.
A statement said, “Rather than limiting networking to coffee breaks, the event is designed to create an environment where meaningful business conversations continue naturally beyond the conference room.”
Throughout the three-day programme, delegates combined conference sessions with networking activities in the Julian Alps, including an e-bike tour through the Planica Valley and evening gatherings. The relaxed setting encouraged open dialogue, direct exchanges between decision-makers and the development of new partnerships across the regional travel retail community, said CEETRA. ✈
