APTRA’s Summer in the City networking event in Hong Kong attracted more than 80 attendees.

More than 80 people from the travel retail community in Hong Kong gathered on 2 August for Asia Pacific Travel Retail Association’s Summer in the City networking evening.

The event took place at Michelin-star restaurant Duddell’s, which specialises in authentic Cantonese cuisine, with champagne and cocktails provided by event sponsor Pernod Ricard.

A highlight of the evening was Head of Consumer and Retail ASPAC, KPMG, Anson Bailey, who shared his perspective on the travel retail industry’s recovery and changing dynamics at play.

Increasingly seamless digital connectivity and interaction driving consumer expectations for more immersive retail experiences were topics of note.

Bailey also outlined the need for businesses to ‘live and breathe’ authentic social purpose/ESG in order to develop relationships with the 580 million Gen Z consumers that are predicted by 2030 in China, Southeast Asia and across ASEAN (the Association of Southeast Asian Nations).

Snapshots from APTRA’s Summer in the City networking event.

In addition, Bailey shared insights on Chinese travellers, noting a trend towards more frequent, shorter trips within China and to nearby countries in Asia, with Korea, Japan and Singapore being the most popular.

Airline capacity and visa delays are still impacting the full Chinese return, but Bailey’s view is this will ease by the fourth quarter of 2023.

Women in Travel Retail+ outlined work in the Philippines

During the evening, many of the attendees made donations to the Koma Karanth Foundation, the Women in Travel Retail+ (WITR+) charity of the year.

Founder Maitryei Karanth outlined how the organisation’s work in the municipality of Gloria in the Philippines, has grown and evolved organically.

The Foundation initially started by building homes. Next came a school with additional resources for children, including transport to and from the establishment, meals, clean water, a church and a typhoon shelter, among other significant milestones.

The Foundation also works to empower single mothers to create their own businesses and become self-sufficient.

APTRA’s membership network spans more than 45 countries in the Asia Pacific region.

READ MORE: APTRA proactively addressing “ongoing and protracted” LAGs issue at Changi

READ MORE: APTRA: ‘Revenge spend’ from Chinese passengers fuelling positive trading