MIDDLE EAST & AFRICA/INTERNATIONAL. The themes for this year’s MEADFA Conference, scheduled to take place in Abu Dhabi, UAE on 17-19 November, have been announced.
As reported, the event will be held at the Fairmont Bab Al Bahr Hotel and managed in partnership with TFWA.
Over two half-days on 18-19 November, the conference will feature insights from senior executives from across the Middle East and Africa travel industry.
Day one topics will include how travel and tourism have driven economic growth in the region. It will also explore how the region is investing to increase airport capacity and terminal retail space.
Panel sessions will highlight the importance of non-aeronautical revenues, as well as the issues MEADFA believes the industry must address to safeguard its growth in the Middle East and Africa.
During day two, delegates will learn about travel and tourism’s recovery in the Middle East and Africa region, while a session on sustainability will offer an update on the progress made and challenges that still need to be addressed.
Also on day two, the transformational effect AI is having on the travel retail customer experience will be analysed, alongside other tech themes. In addition, a panel will discuss innovative strategies currently helping retailers delight customers in an increasingly competitive world.
MEADFA is yet to announce the identities of speakers and panellists.
The event’s networking programme features a Welcome Cocktail on Sunday 17 November, and a Gala Dinner and Awards night hosted by Avolta at the Ethara F1 Circuit in Abu Dhabi on Monday. There will also be networking coffee breaks and lunches throughout the event.
Confirmed MEADFA Conference sponsors include Diamond Partners IDF, Wellgio, Casa Maestri and Sterling Perfumes; Platinum Partners Imperial Brands and Pernod Ricard; and Gold Partners DFP World and Blue Gulf Marketing & Events. The event’s Airline Partner is Etihad Airways.
Al-Nassma will be among the coffee break sponsors; others include Lagardère Travel Retail, Loacker and Cloetta.
The Media Partners for the event are The Moodie Davitt Report, Duty-Free News International, Global Travel Retail Magazine and TR Business.
Registration is open until 28 October and can be accessed here.
MEADFA President Sherif Toulan said: “As preparations continue for the MEADFA Conference in Abu Dhabi, registration numbers are building at an encouraging pace.
“This year’s conference programme will create space for great insight from an impressive range of leading executives from across our industry, as well as plenty of opportunity to broaden industry connections. As the conference approaches, we look forward to welcoming our friends and business partners to Abu Dhabi.”
TFWA President Erik Juul-Mortensen commented: “The team at TFWA are honoured to be managing the MEADFA Conference once again this year. As a hub of economic and cultural diversity, and a region committed to boosting its tourism industry as a significant source of revenue, Abu Dhabi provides an ideal setting for the event.
“A highlight of this conference is the connections that are facilitated between industry colleagues from the region with those from other international markets. It presents delegates with the opportunity to discover more of how Middle Eastern and African business is operating, no matter where they reside in the world.
“I firmly believe that our time in Abu Dhabi this year will ensure that the MEADFA Conference maintains its reputation as an unmissable event.” ✈
