Tax Free World Association (TFWA) has inked an agreement with the Singapore Alliance group of partners to host the TFWA Asia Pacific Exhibition & Conference in Singapore from 2023 until 2026, with an option to extend the partnership.

As reported, TFWA President Erik Juul-Mortensen updated the industry during last week’s TFWA World Exhibition & Conference that plans were progressing for a ‘full scale’ Singapore event on 7-11 May 2023.

The regional summit is set to return to the Marina Bay Sands Expo and Convention Centre.

Flag carrier Singapore Airlines will be the official airline.

Present at a press conference held on Monday 3 October to announce the renewed agreement was Singapore Tourism Board (STB) and Marina Bay Sands.

Four to six million visitors in 2022

Deanna Tan, Assistant Director Exhibitions & Conferences Experience Development Group, STB, spoke of a mutual alignment between STB and TFWA, with travel and tourism essential to the country’s position as a global events hub.

“Since the opening of our borders to quarantine-free travel in April, we’ve been greatly encouraged by the strong return of major business events in 2022,” she stated. “Today, Singapore is leading the region’s rebound for international travel and we’re expecting [international] visitor numbers to reach 4-6 million by the end of this year.

“This underscores the clear confidence that global event organisers face in Singapore and it’s a confidence that we do not take for granted.”

Juul-Mortensen stated: “We’re delighted to conclude an agreement with Singapore to host TFWA Asia Pacific Exhibition & Conference for the years ahead.

“The decision to host our event here is sound for many reasons. The quality of the infrastructure is outstanding, the city is extremely dynamic and business friendly, and there are significant plans underway both at Changi Airport and Marina Bay Sands to enhance what are already first-class facilities.

“As a business centre and a travel hub with highly impressive connections to all corners of the world, it is an unrivalled choice of location. We are looking forward to working with the Singapore Tourism Board and all of our partners on our future events, and we can assure all our industry friends and colleagues of a warm welcome in Singapore, beginning next year.”

John Rimmer, Managing Director, TFWA, said: “The Asia Pacific travel retail community is on the verge of a very significant rebound. We are seeing traffic open up in various markets, travellers free to travel once again and this is only going to accelerate over the coming months. We feel very strongly that an exhibition is needed to support and develop the travel retail industry in Asia Pacific.”

Poh Chi Chuan, Executive Director, Exhibitions & Conferences, STB, added: “The Singapore Tourism Board is delighted to extend our partnership with TFWA to host TFWA Asia Pacific Exhibition & Conference in 2023 and beyond.

“As a leading business events destination and travel hub, Singapore’s interests in the growth of international tourism and travel are closely aligned with TFWA. We are heartened by the strong rebound in both business events and leisure visitors to Singapore.

 

“Our world-class connectivity, thriving business environment, as well as vibrant lifestyle and entertainment offerings, make Singapore an ideal venue to support the continued growth of the global travel retail industry.”

Singapore Alliance Partners include DSV Solutions, Experia Events, Faces of Asia, Kingsmen, Marina Bay Sands, REALM Events and Singapore Tourism Board.