On Location: The APTRA India Conference in Mumbai : Moodie Davitt Report

INDIA. The Asia Pacific Travel Retail Association (APTRA) India Conference is taking place in Mumbai this week. The Platinum Host Partner is Ospree Duty Free.

The Moodie Davitt Report Founder & Chairman Martin Moodie, a regular visitor to India over many years, is on location and below presents highlights of the event together with his highly personalised views on The Moodie Blog.

The event began last night with the Welcome Reception in partnership with Aperol Spritz, Aspri Spirits, Fino Tequila, Kumaon&I Gin and Jura Scotch whisky.

Below we bring you pictorial highlights before a more extensive report and analysis in our TFWA Asia Pacific show magazine. ✈

9 April

After an excellent first day, capped by a hugely enjoyable Gala Dinner, APTRA India concludes today. And it is finishing with a flourish, highlighted by an inspirational presentation from Mitti Café Founder Alina Alam and members of her amazing team.

Mitti Café is a remarkable social enterprise dedicated to empowering individuals with disabilities by providing them with opportunities for economic independence and dignity.

“What started with no capital, a second-hand oven and a borrowed fridge has now grown into the world’s largest café chain run entirely by adults with disabilities,” Alina Alam commented.

“From a single table and umbrella to a movement — Mitti Café is proof that purpose, resilience, and community can change lives.”

**Click on the image to read our story about Mitti Café published last year**

Bangalore International Airport Limited (BIAL) Vice President – Commercial Development Pravat Kumar Paikray and Martin Moodie join Alina Alam and the Mitti Café team on stage. BIAL and Alina Alam were the joint winners of the first FAB Humanitarian Award in June 2024

Last week Martin Moodie visited the Mitti Café team at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport in Mumbai. He was warmly welcomed by team members (from left) Vijay, Vivek, Dnyandeep (background) and Rohit, four delightful gentlemen and outstanding professionals. You can read the full story here.

Alina was joined in a compelling discussion around the theme of People, Purpose, Prosperity with (from right) India Retails & Hospitality CEO Naresh Sharma; Suntory Global Spirits General Manager GTR APAC & MEA Alasdair Dickinson and (left) session moderator *DFNI* Editor Kapila Ireland. We will bring you a detailed examination of this session soon.

8 April

Gala Dinner hosted by Ospree

#OspreeTurns1 was the hashtag as the travel retailer celebrated its first anniversary in gloriously technicolour style last night as it hosted the APTRA India Gala Dinner.

The dress code for the evening was Metallic Luxe and Parfums Christian Dior General Manager Travel Retail MEA Ingrid Pineau (left) and Lagardère Travel Retail Middle East EVP Commercial and Business Development Jacqui Davies certainly dazzled accordingly. Meanwhile, a certain well-known travel retail publisher, the thorn between two roses, tried his best unavailingly to look pretty in pink.

Martin Moodie and Flemingo Founder & Chairman Atul Ahuja. At the APTRA India conference last March, Mumbai Travel Retail Private Limited, the joint venture between Adani Airport Holdings and Flemingo Travel Retail, was rebranded as Ospree Duty Free

**House of Somrus Founder PK Garg, Payal Ahuja and Martin Moodie**

(From left) Whyte & Mackay Regional Director Travel Retail EMEIA & Americas Clarisse Daniels, Martin Moodie and Jacqui Davies, Lagardère Travel Retail Middle East EVP Commercial and Business Development. Clarisse is speaking on day 2 of the conference in what is bound to be a closely watched presentation themed ‘Pathways to Unlocking Retail Performance’.

**King Power Traveler President Rakhita Jayawardena and Martin Moodie enjoy the moment**

(Left) A proud Rakhita Jayawardena is presented with a Johnnie Walker ‘Keep Walking’ badge by Diageo Global Travel Managing Director Andrew Cowan; (Right) Chanel Head of Global Travel Retail Hervé Ducros and Martin Moodie as you’ve never seen them before (and likely won’t again)

Conference Day 1

APTRA Executive Director Anne Kavanagh welcomed guests to a sold-out event. She was followed on stage by APTRA President Sunil Tuli who spoke of the uncertainty surrounding world trade, and potentially travel retail, related to the furore over US President Donald Trump’s tariff blitz on the country’s trading partners.