In review: On location at TFWA Asia Pacific 2025 in Singapore : Moodie Davitt Report

SINGAPORE. The Moodie Davitt Report team was out in force last week at the TFWA Asia Pacific Exhibition & Conference in Singapore (11 to 15 May), meeting contacts and clients, reacquainting with old friends and making many new ones.

Here we feature our choice of the week’s highlights in words, photos and video, brought to you in association with our partners Qatar Duty Free, Coty and Travel Blue.

**Click on the image to read Martin Moodie’s picture-rich take on TFWA Asia Pacific and his extensive photo gallery in The Moodie Blog**

15 May

It’s always an immense pleasure to catch up with the irrepressible Sue Kyung Lee (second left), President of P&G Skin Care and one of the beauty world’s (heck, make that any world’s) most dynamic and visionary leaders. The Moodie Davitt Report Founder & Chairman Martin Moodie and Publisher Irene Revilla (second right) are pictured after a privileged preview of SK-II’s daringly innovative plans for 2025 and beyond with Sue Kyung and SK-II Senior Brand Communications Director Shuqi Fu. Watch this space; we promise you plenty of excitement lies ahead.

It’s a resounding thumbs up from Kosé Travel Retail (led by President and CEO Hiroto Kitaki, third from left) and The Moodie Davitt Report as they celebrate the renewal of a strong communications partnership. Next year the famed Japanese beauty house, founded by Kozaburo Kobayashi in 1946, turns 80 and together we plan some unrivalled and deeply innovative media coverage to honour a wonderful landmark.

**And that alliance was reinforced over a top-class lunch at Bread Street Kitchen by Gordon Ramsay in Marina Bay Sands**

Some distinctly Strange things were happening on the CoLab stand, at least in the corner occupied by Strange Nature Gin Co-owner and General Manager Rhys Julian (pictured to the right in top-left photo with Heinemann Oceania Head of Category Management Charlie Hilton). Visitors to the Stand could win what surely ranks as the strangest of all our popular Strange Predictions contests hosted by the brand, with the prize a bottle of the superb new limited-edition, travel retail-exclusive (TREX) Strange Nature Pinot Noir Gin. Rhys not only brought along this great New Zealand gin but on the table at his meetings was another gourmet delight from Kiwiland, Whittaker’s Assorted Mini Slab. Visitors had to guess how many of these taste-tempting munchies were in the giant jar. The answer? 67. And Lotte Duty Free Singapore Merchandising Executive Amelia Palmer was right on the money with a perfect prediction.The fine prize was collected on Amelia’s behalf by colleagues Chester Seow and Soklbir Kaur, pictured in middle photo (from left) along with Rhys and CoLab General Manager APAC Phil Sancto.

Memories are made of this: What a gloriously vibrant backdrop for this shot of Travel Blue Group CEO and Managing Director Daniel Levin and The Moodie Davitt Report Founder & Publisher Martin Moodie. The Travel Blue business continues to go from strength to strength, underlining not only the quality of the product and the people who own and represent it but also the prevailing importance of the travel essentials category.

A gift from a Mr S Claus. But it’s neither Christmas nor Santa in this case. Instead IPL Brands Founder & CEO Stephan Claus is presenting Martin Moodie with a bottle of the beautiful, gold bottle Champagne Dian Brut Prestige. What’s inside the bottle is equally beautiful, according to Martin. Barry Geoghegan’s Duty Free Global is representing this fine brand in travel retail.

Lego brings out the kid in all of us and Martin Moodie is no different. Here he enjoys a catch-up moment at the end of the show with General Manager, Singapore, Malaysia, Travel Retail APAC Nina Patricia Da Costa and APAC Travel Retail Channel Lead Danny Wong.

One of Martin Moodie’s highlights of the week was to meet Nerissa Polke, a human dynamo and CEO/Founder of Liht Organics (third from right). What an extraordinary back story there is to this brand’s organic formulations which are deemed ‘good enough to eat’. Liht is an acronym for ‘Living in Her Time’ and was born out of Nerissa’s personal battle with adult acne and a desire to eliminate harsh chemicals from everyday cosmetics. Which she has done triumphantly. Watch this brand closely. It is already going places fast (helped in its early journey by experienced consultant Richard Thorpe, pictured right, Director at RT Travel Retail Consultants).

So which retailer is going to be bold and visionary enough to open the first pet’s accessories store in travel retail, something The Moodie Davitt Report Founder & Chairman Martin Moodie has been urging for years. The answer might be coming soon. Meet Dorian Wiegand (right), Senior Key Account Manager and Team Lead International Sales at Hunter, a German dogs and cats accessories company. Each year Hunter crafts enough leather articles to stretch 300,000 metres – a fitting analogy to how the brand’s reach continues to grow, connecting more pet owners worldwide with the house’s signature quality and design. Read our full story here.

**The Moodie Davitt Report Brands Director Hannah Tan and Publisher Irene Revilla become DJs for a night at the YSL Beauty Light Club event**

The Moodie Davitt Report’s Irene Revilla and Hannah Tan with Lacoste Travel Retail and Corporate Director Asia Pacific Erin Lillis (middle) strike a pose in front of the athleisure brand’s signature crocodile emblem. Lacoste continues to make strong strides in travel retail, driven by its dynamic product offer and growing appeal among younger, style-conscious travellers.

(Left) Sandro Bottega and his team showcasing the new Italian whisky and premium prosecco range; (right) Wonderful Pistachios Director of Sales Global Travel Retail James Kfouri says the demand for pistachios is booming

Lindt & Sprüngli Head of Global Travel Retail Peter Zehnder poses with the new chocolate wafer innovation. Earlier this year, Lindt & Sprüngli unveiled a revamped retail island at Zurich Airport. Spanning 57sq m, the enhanced space continues the long-standing collaboration between Lindt, Avolta and Zurich Airport.

**JT International Corporate Affairs & Communications Manager Global Travel Retail Pan Har Ying is shining the spotlight on the latest releases from the Mevius range**

**The Estée Lauder Companies Senior Regional Marketing Director APAC Travel Retail Celine Tan (left) and The Moodie Davitt Report Brands Director Hannah Tan catch up and talk all things beauty at TWG**

From left: The Moodie Davitt Report Publisher Irene Revilla; Dior Trade Marketing – Travel Retail Asia Pacific Grace Chan; and Hannah Tan discuss all the luxury brand’s upcoming launches and pop-up campaigns in the year ahead with exciting news to come from South Korea, Japan and Hainan

Loch Lomond Group Managing Director – Global Travel Retail Luke Maga and Hannah Tan sample a dram of The Littlemill ‘Echoes of the Past’ collection. The line marks the final chapter of Littlemill, Scotland’s oldest licensed distillery – now lost to history. With only a handful of casks remaining, this range offers a glimpse into the distillery’s legacy. The first release, Littlemill 34 Year Old, will be rolled out at select travel retail locations starting 1 July. Click here for our full story.

“We continue to observe a shift towards premiumisation, with travellers seeking unique experiences and exclusive whisky expressions in duty free,” said William Grant & Sons Regional Managing Director Global Travel Retail Rufus Parkinson. The spirits company presented an F1-inspired stand showcasing the latest collaboration between Glenfiddich and the Aston Martin F1 racing team.

(Above and below) Suntory Global Spirits Managing Director Global Travel Retail Ashish Gandham and The Moodie Davitt Report Brands Director Hannah Tan behind the bar tasting the Yamazaki, Hibiki and Hakushu expressions. The House of Suntory recently partnered with China Duty Free Group to open a standalone flagship boutique at cdf Haikou International Duty Free Shopping Complex in Hainan. Click here for our full story.

**Martin Moodie shares a moment with Chinese model Lilith Yu (centre) and her husband, Gulf Pacific Founder Gary Leong**

**Martin Moodie joins Blue Chip Group Co-Founder Flora Lee at the sublime Bacha Coffee restaurant in Marina Bay Sands. Lee represents Bacha Coffee in selected travel retail markets.**

A thorn between two roses. Martin Moodie meets Noble Panacea Global Travel Retail & Asia Sales Director Tina Tam (left) and Director of Marketing Asia Sharon Woo. The cruelty-free, gluten-free and fragrance-free luxury skincare brand has a remarkable back story. Noble Panacea was founded by Sir J. Fraser Francis Stoddart, a world-renowned scientist who in 2016 was awarded The Nobel Prize in Chemistry. The ‘Sir’ came when he was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II in 2006, while he also received the Albert Einstein World Award of Science in 2007.

From humble origins in the small city of Bolzano, South Tyrol, Italy, Loacker has become a global brand name and leader in the premium wafer and snacking segment. The Italian house marked its 100th anniversary in early February with a special event that gathered together business partners from around the world and selected media, including The Moodie Davitt Report. Yesterday the Loacker team celebrated the landmark on their stand at TFWA Asia Pacific.

14 May

Swiss chocolate specialist Maestrani recently premiered the new Munz Sportsline, an exciting new reference that aims to appeal to kids and adults alike. Here, senior business development executive Faozia Math-Ly-Roun showcases the range, which debuted with Dubai Duty Free. Click here for the full story.

**Family affair: Herita Marzotto Wine Estates Export Director Giacomo Marzotto proudly introduces a new Santa Margherita travel-retail exclusive at the Singapore show; click here to read more**

Women who get the job done: (from left) Victorinox Head of Global Travel Retail & Fragrance Sales Gloria Dix, The Moodie Davitt Report Brands Director Hannah Tan and Publisher Irene Revilla strike a pose at the playful photo area on the Victorinox stand. The Swiss lifestyle brand is bringing the ‘Prepared to…’ brand campaign to life through a personalisation experience and photo zone, while showcasing its latest innovations in watches and travel gear.

(From left) The Moodie Davitt Report’s Irene Revilla and Hannah Tan with Blue Chip Group Managing Director Flora Lee. Blue Chip Group recently expanded Memo Paris and Suisai in Singapore and Hong Kong, with two key openings with The Shilla Duty Free. Click here for our full story.

“We are positive in most territories and especially the Americas and EMEA, thanks to the established strategy that we’ve had since day one,” says Thélios Head of GTR Alessandro Eucaliptus. He points to recent high-profile brand activations as evidence of this momentum: “We’ve been leveraging the visibility of the channel with a series of activations across our strong portfolio of brands. We recently ran activations at Heathrow with Dior, Istanbul with Fendi and Madrid with Loewe.”

The Moodie Davitt Report’s Martin Moodie (left) and Dermot Davitt (right) share a moment with Changi Airport Group EVP Commercial Peck Hoon Lim after an enjoyable gathering with the airport’s commercial team at TWG Tea on the Bay, Marina Bay Sands

One of the pleasures of TFWA Asia Pacific week is meeting the Changi Airport Group commercial team for a relaxed catch-up, this time in the wonderful surroundings of TWG Tea on the Bay, Marina Bay Sands. Joining EVP Commercial Peck Hoon Lim (second right) were Managing Director Airside Concessions Jean Hung (left), Head of Airside Concessions Chandra Mahtani (third left) and CAG Corporate Communications Managers Dennis Yim Kein Fai and Genevieve Chan (fourth and fifth left). Media guests included (from second left) Martin Moodie (The Moodie Davitt Report), Kevin Rozario (freelance), Dermot Davitt (The Moodie Davitt Report), Kapila Ireland (DFNI) and Hibah Noor (Global Travel Retail Magazine).

The Whyte & Mackay Asia travel retail team celebrate the company’s success in the recent TREX Awards, which recognised the finest travel retail-exclusive (TREX) products and related innovations worldwide, with The Dalmore Portfolio Series capturing The ‘Patagotitan’ Award. The Moodie Davitt Report President Dermot Davitt joined them for a photo at TFWA Asia Pacific. Click here for the full set of TREX Awards results.

Women in Travel Retail (WiTR) brought women industry leaders together for a lively cocktail reception at the TFWA Asia Pacific Lounge, celebrating connection, collaboration and the growing impact of women across the travel retail sector. The event drew a strong turnout from across the industry, offering a relaxed yet purposeful space for networking and dialogue.

Some of the attendees included (from left) long-time WiTR advocate and Chair Sarah Branquinho; The Moodie Davitt Report Brands Director Hannah Tan; Essential Communications Managing Director Row Holland and Bluedog Group Global Business Development Director Sarah Genest; all women who continue to champion inclusion and innovation within the industry

At the L’Oréal Travel Retail cocktail event, Managing Director Asia Pacific Travel Retail Jesús Abia called on the industry to embrace Pentarchy partnerships as the foundation for reshaping the future of travel retail. Speaking to an audience of key stakeholders from across the channel, Abia delivered a clear and compelling message: the future of travel retail lies in deeper, more integrated collaboration. “The challenges we face today can’t be solved in silos,” he noted. “Only by aligning across all five forces of our ecosystem can we unlock sustainable growth.” His remarks struck a chord with many in the room. With clarity and conviction, Abia positioned Pentarchy partnerships and shoppertainment as a call to action – one that reflects the evolving complexity and opportunity within Asia Pacific travel retail.

L’Oréal Paris partnered with Royal Salute to create a bespoke cocktail featuring the Royal Salute 2002 blend – crafted the same year The Moodie Davitt Report was founded. Martin Moodie poses with a bottle of Royal Salute 2002.

**Duty Free Global Founder Barry Geoghegan salutes the work of the TFWA staff in running the show, with Exhibitions Director Myriem Chalabi (left) among the excellent organising team**

Telling a tale of terroir and tradition in wine: AdVini Trade Manager Travel Retail Luc Jalenques takes media guests on a tasting tour of the wine group’s offer from Bordeaux to the Rhône Valley. AdVini recently partnered with wine & spirits agency Duty Free Global to expand its footprint across Asia and other global travel retail markets. More to follow.

(From left) Mars Wrigley International Travel Retail (MWITR) Customer Activation Manager Mounia Ambari-Maskitou; MWITR Business Development Manager Maria Pastor Herranz; Essential Communications Managing Director Row Holland; The Moodie Davitt Report Brands Director Hannah Tan; and MWITR Market Director An de Volder model the colourful handbags from the M&M’s x Kate Spade collaboration

CVH Head of Global Travel Retail Lynsey Eades and Commercial Director EMEA Paul Wanless are putting the spotlight on Bunnahabhain’s travel retail-exclusive range of whiskies, which includes the Cruach-Mhòna, Eirigh Na Greine, An Cladach and Turas Math No. 1 expressions

**Kurate is showcasing its stainless steel jewellery collection. The fashion jewellery brand is expanding in the channel with six new locations with Avolta and new stores with Baltona and DFDS.**

Caudalie has been expanding steadily in travel retail, growing +37% globally year-to-date and Asia Pacific travel retail growing +30%. The brand is currently rolling out new-style gondolas designed in line with the purple hue of its Premier Cru range.

Wine, spirits and gourmet food company Osborne are showcasing five premium brands selected for their strong appeal in Asian market, including Ham Cinco Jotas, Gin Nordés and Gin Gold, Carlos I brandies and Montecillo Wines. Pictured from left are Trade Activation & Area Manager Lucas Gailhac, Global Travel Retail Manager Cathy Rolland and Area Manager Global Travel Retail Idafe Ferdandez.

**New exhibitor Fatima 1932 is showcasing beauty and confectionery products that embody the essence of Turkish culture and tradition. Pictured is CEO Fatma Semiz.**

DPT Founder Edward Verté (left) and Director Frank Demeyere (right) are spotlighting the latest collections from the fast-rising demi-fine jewellery brand, which continues to build strong momentum in the cruise retail channel

As one of the world’s fastest-growing economies, India is widely seen as a future powerhouse in duty free and travel retail. But the key question remains: how could the industry unlock this vast potential? That question took centre stage during the India Watch workshop that examined the forces shaping India’s travel retail landscape. During the session, Delhi Duty Free CEO Ashish Chopra (second from left) offered a candid look at how India’s leading duty-free retailer was adapting to the country’s fast-changing commercial and consumer environment.

(Above) Global consulting firm Kearney led the discussion, with Senior Partners (left) Victor Dijon and (right) Neelesh Hundekari sharing data-led insights and case studies to illustrate the pathways to success in this complex but promising market. Kearney said that India will be opening 350 to 400 airports by 2047 with non-aeronautic revenue a key driver for profitability. They also said that beauty will be the next big category in India.

(From left) L’Oréal Travel Retail Assistant Vice President Communications & Engagement Delphine Nathan; L’Oréal Travel Retail Asia Pacific Managing Director Jesús Abia; The Moodie Davitt Report Brands Director Hannah Tan and L’Oréal Travel Retail Asia Pacific Director of Communications & Engagement Isabelle Lim pose for a photo in front of the blushing Lancôme space

The Moodie Davitt Report Brands Director Hannah Tan in action interviewing L’Oréal Travel Retail Asia Pacific Managing Director Jesús Abia about how the company is reshaping the future of beauty experiences through ‘shopper-tainment’ and powerful Pentarchy partnerships

‘Hunter. Feel Loved.’ That’s the mantra of German dogs and cats accessories company Hunter. Pictured is Codipe Inc. Managing Director Hans Peter Thulmann who is helping the brand expand in travel retail. Click here for our interview with Hunter Senior Key Account Manager/Team Lead International Sales Dorian Wiegand who discusses how the company has strengthened the appeal of its pet products among travelling consumers.

Premium portfolio: Proximo Spirits Head of Global Travel Retail Roy Summers (left) and Trade Marketing Manger Patrick Lynch celebrate the launch of Bushmills Irish Whiskey 18 Year Old single malt, which completes the World Wood Series of travel retail exclusives and is initially available exclusively in Asia Pacific markets

The Kering Eyewear team model the latest Ultra lenses from Maui Jim in front of their new interactive sales training tool. The tool gives staff key product and assortment information complete with a final quiz.

**Champagne Taittinger’s Ronan De La Morlais and Eric Carlier are showcasing the Champagne house’s revamped packaging, including a new travel retail exclusive, alongside its hero Champagnes**

One of the best things about trade shows such as TFWA Asia Pacific is the chance to catch up with industry and personal friends from around the globe, *writes Martin Moodie*, pictured after a splendid dinner at Mott 32 with Alpana and Ramesh Cidambi

Guilhem Souche’s recent departure as Senior Vice President, Global Travel Retail from Coty is a loss to the industry but with his 30 years of experience across local and travel retail channels, his services are likely to be in high demand elsewhere. Martin Moodie caught up with him over coffee at the Fullerton Hotel.

**Q. What are the three most dangerous words in Irishman Dermot Davitt’s language? A. “Fancy a nightcap?”**

**And what a place to indulge in that nightcap. Is there a more breathtaking entrance to a bar in Singapore than this one at the Fullerton Hotel, Interim Bureau for Dermot and Martin this week?**

12 May

**Dermot Davitt with Valiram CEO Ian Lim and Melbourne Airport Head of Retail and Asset Management Aaron Gupta at the Valiram event**

Valiram Group Executive Director Sharan Valiram welcomes Dermot Davitt to one of the social highlights of the week, the Valiram Evening Cocktail at The Fullerton Bay Hotel, as the company marks 90 years in business

Pointing the way: Barry Geoghegan (left) and James Kfouri signal the support from their respective companies (Duty Free Global and Wonderful Pistachios) for the TFWA Asia Pacific Lounge (alongside Qatar Duty Free and other partners)

The Penfolds event at VUE Bar & Grill offered guests an elegant evening of fine wine and skyline views. Hosted on the rooftop of OUE Bayfront, the night featured a curated gastronomic experience paired with Penfolds’ renowned wines. Pictured from left are The Moodie Davitt Report Founder & Chairman Martin Moodie; The Moodie Davitt Report Brands Director Hannah Tan and Lagardère AWPL Co-CEO Costa Kouros.

**Take a look at the wines (and food) on offer and you will realise why an invitation to An Evening with Penfolds is one of the hottest tickets in town**

(Left) Penfolds Global Marketing Manager Global Travel Retail Lina Lim and The Moodie Davitt Report Brands Director Hannah Tan at the Penfolds dinner; (right) Penfolds Global Director Global Travel Retail Michael Jackson welcomes guests to the dinner at VUE

**Martin Moodie and Avolta Category Manager for Asia-Pacific Larissa Cabral enjoy (as in really, really enjoy) a glass of Grange Herrmitage**

From left: The Moodie Davitt Report Publisher Irene Revilla; Revlon Marketing Director APAC Travel Retail Joey Hoo; Elizabeth Arden General Manager APAC Travel Retail Yumie Chia and The Moodie Davitt Report Brands Director Hannah Tan strike a pose in front of the Elizabeth Arden cart which is currently making waves in travel retail

Shiseido Travel Retail held their annual beauty trends media briefing, which highlighted the top five beauty trends that will make an impact in the channel. These are: enduring beauty, precision skincare, scented wellness, next-generation cities, and smart service.

Samha are leveraging the viral Dubai Chocolate trend with their own Dubai Chocolate. Pictured from left are Samha General Manager Martin Van Almsick; Samha Travel Retail Manager Marrah Van Almsick and Samha Customer Relationship Manager Hanah Ahmed Sahad.

**The TFWA Board celebrated the official opening of the TFWA Asia Pacific Exhibition 2025 with a traditional lion dance ceremony**

Organic beauty brand Liht Organics hosted media guests at an intimate event where Founder Nerissa Polke (second from right) demonstrated the brand’s organic formulations which are ‘good enough to eat’. Liht is an acronym for ‘Living in Her Time’ and was born out of Polke’s personal battle with adult acne and a desire to eliminate harsh chemicals from everyday cosmetics.

The Moodie Davitt Report Brands Director Hannah Tan samples one of Liht Organics’ blush products. All Liht Organics products are vegan, cruelty-free, gluten-free and free from synthetic chemicals, fragrances and nanoparticles.

Bang Bang Cosmetics General Manager Hervé Bouvier (left) and Founder Jérôme Devisme are giving the digital-native makeup brand its travel retail debut. Named after the Nancy Sinatra song *Bang Bang (My Baby Shot Me Down),* the brand offers products formulated with nigella (black cumin) oil, including lipsticks, mascaras, liners and eyeshadow palettes.

Swarovski Head of Global Travel Retail Andreea Marginean models the Austrian crystal house’s colourful spring jewellery collection. The brand recently revealed its spring campaign starring Brand Ambassador singer/actress Ariana Grande.

Orchestral conductor and leadership expert Jason Lai took the stage to draw parallels between conducting a symphony and leadership. Sharing insights from the podium, Lai explored how good leadership can foster collaboration, inspire innovation and address challenges to create effective business strategies in travel retail.

**Delegates were treated to an orchestral performance of *Auld Lang Syne* to kickstart the second half of the morning conference sessions**

**Qatar Airways Chief Retail and Hospitality Officer Thabet Musleh joined Lai onstage to try his hand at conducting an orchestra with the TFWA audience**

Portland Design Managing Director Ibrahim Ibrahim outlined his ‘Future Ready Retail’ approach to designing spaces in travel retail. He talked about the key three pillars of his approach: locate, explore and inspire, and how these can transform retail from transactional to experiential. He urged the industry to view retail design as ‘people and places’ and not as ‘buildings and spaces’, and how it should embrace spirit of place to meaningfully engage with the *‘Transumer’* or travelling consumer of today.

Ibrahim said: “Up to 40% of physical shops need to be reinvented over the next five years as demand for physical retail slows. We need to think of other commercial offers, mix the rhythm and combine shopping, working, entertainment, learning, culture and hospitality to come together to drive retail. We need to stop thinking of airports as machines for moving people. Airports have the potential to be the most powerful and effective media for a brand.”

Techburst Talks Host Charles Reed Anderson argued that more innovation doesn’t necessarily mean more tech. In his keynote presentation, Reed Anderson emphasised how adopting a human-centric approach and choosing the right technologies with intention can help travel retail better engage with digital-savvy travellers.

Asia Pacific Travel Retail Association (APTRA) President Sunil Tuli reflected on the growth of the Indian duty-free market, which he noted was worth around US$750 million in annual sales, a figure expected to double by 2029, at a CAGR of +15%. With many new passport holders, a travel-hungry and vast Gen Z population, Tuli noted, “India will shape the future of travel retail for decades to come.” Healso addressed APTRA’s strong support for the industry and work on tackling regulatory challenges, as well as reflecting on developments in the major regional markets from Japan to South Korea and Vietnam to China.

**“2024 was a landmark year for Singapore’s tourism sector” – Republic of Singapore Minister of State, MTI and MCCY Alvin Tan**

Republic of Singapore Minister of State, MTI and MCCY Alvin Tan reflected on the 26-year strong partnership between the TFWA Asia Pacific Exhibition and Conference and Singapore. He also underscored Singapore’s role as a regional hub for travel retail.

“2024 was a landmark year for Singapores tourism sector,” Tan said. “We welcomed 16.5 million international visitors, which represented a +21% increase from the year before.

“In 2024, Changi served over 70 million passengers, a +15% year-on-year increase. Changi was also recently named World’s Best airport by Skytrax for the 13th time and we are now starting work on Terminal 5 from mid-May.”

**Tan gave his speech to a full house of delegates at the TFWA Asia Pacific Conference**

Previewing what’s to come with the Changi Airport expansion, Tan said: “Terminal 5 will be bigger than terminals 1, 2, 3 and 4. We are not just making Changi bigger, we are also making it faster by improving the passenger journey from immigration processing to terminal services such as baggage handling.”

Giving the travel retail perspective, Tan said: “In 2024, over 30 brands opened in Changi Airport. This includes new brands as well as leading global players such as L’Oréal, Shiseido, Brown-Forman, LVMH beauty and also Gebr. Heinemann who continue to anchor their regional presence in Singapore.”

TFWA President Philippe Margueritte makes his inaugural address to TFWA Asia Pacific delegates. He takes an upbeat view of the future of the sector, and reflects on the potential impact of the two regional economic super powers, China and India, on travel markets. For travel retail, planning for digitally savvy, sustainably minded Gen Z travellers is critical, he said. “Traditional brick & mortar duty-free stores won’t work as they did in the past. The new generation wants an experience, something they can share, something that stimulates the senses.” He also hailed the personalisation opportunities that AI presents. “We could see the emergence of new ways to shop and more adapted formats – but all of this depends on our willingness to share data. We need a more collaborative mindset.”

Margueritte said: “Chinese passenger numbers are rising and should reach nearly 200 million by 2028. Two-thirds of them will be Gen Z consumers who have a strong interest in seeing all countries and firm ideas about the aspect of their trip. Chinese airlines transported 18.9 million international Chinese travellers last year. This is +34% above the last year and +4.5% above the number in 2019.”

**Author and former CEO of AirAsia X Azran Osman Rani and TFWA Conference Director Michele Miranda welcome guests to the TFWA Asia Pacific conference**

11 May

**Jensen Boo (left) and Barney Boo (second right, both J Brands Malaysia) with new partner Barry Geoghegan of Duty Free Global and Dermot Davitt**

**The welcome evening always affords the chance to meet old friends: Dermot Davitt with Lal Arakulath (Kreol Group, centre) and Garry Maxwell (GMAX Travel Retail, right)**

**(Left) Global Travel Retail Sales Founder David Spillane and (right) The Moodie Davitt Report Founder & Chairman Martin Moodie are all smiles at the forest-themed photo space at the opening cocktail**

**The TFWA Asia Pacific opening cocktail was in full bloom at the Gardens by the Bay as delegates mingled among exotic flowers and nighttime views in one of Singapore’s most famous landmarks**

**The Moodie Davitt Report Publisher Irene Revilla (second left) and Brands Director Hannah Tan (far right) take a selfie with delegates from L’Oréal Travel Retail and Paul & Shark**

**Travel retail veteran Gary Leong and his wife, model and artist Lilith Yu, are bringing a new fashion brand, Nana Jacqueline, to the TFWA Asia Pacific show**

**(Left) Newly appointed QDF Manager Corporate Communication Ewan Lawson and The Moodie Davitt Report Brands Director Hannah Tan take a photo at the blooming *Tulipmania* display at the opening cocktail**

Sunday began with an excellent lunch at the Singapore Cricket Club hosted by the Asia Pacific Travel Retail Association (APTRA), in association with Changi Airport Group plus partners Lindt, Haribo, Go Travel, Four Pillars gin, Piaff Champagne and Absolue Beauty.

The event attracted a strong guest list from airports in the region plus concessionaires and brand owners from around the world. We feature pictorial highlights below.

15 May

14 May

12 May

11 May

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