The Tax Free World Association (TFWA) Asia Pacific Exhibition & Conference is to return in May 2021 (9 May to 13 May).

TFWA said the event would combine the best of physical and virtual to offer more flexibility and convenience to delegates. Further details will be announced shortly.

Building on its series of webinars, including TFWA China Reborn, the TFWA Asia Pacific Exhibition & Conference will present up-to-date research, brand news and trade advice to enable industry professionals to grow their business in the Asia Pacific region. The fast growing Chinese market will be a particular focus.

The event will also incorporate a refreshed format of the TFWA One2One meeting service, which offers attendees a chance to network.

UNRIVALLED LEARNING OPPORTUNITY

Alain Maingreaud, President, TFWA said: “At this difficult time, it’s more important than ever that we continue to connect as an industry. The TFWA Asia Pacific Exhibition & Conference presents an unrivalled opportunity to learn about programmes for recovery and gain understanding of a market that remains the most important in our business.

“Even more essentially, it will provide something that only TFWA events can. That is a globally-respected forum to create and foster the business relationships which will be the life blood of our industry going forward.”

The global trade association announced just recently that it planned to press ahead with the traditional physical event next year, but did tell TRBusiness that it would have to monitor the situation closely in order to make a final decision.

As reported, in March, TFWA cancelled the 2020 Asia Pacific Exhibition & Conference in Singapore set for 10-14 May due to escalating health and safety concerns linked to the spread of coronavirus (Covid-19). The World Exhibition & Conference was cancelled in May.

The last time the TFWA Asia Pacific event was cancelled was in 2003 due to the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) outbreak.

The TFWA also cancelled this year’s World Exhibition and Conference in Cannes (27 September to 2 October).

The Asia Pacific show will begin eight days after China’s Labour Day holiday (1 May) and 81 days after the end of the Spring Festival/Chinese New Year holidays (11-17 February).

As reported, TFWA will host its ‘China Reborn’ virtual event on 1-3 December, part of a series of online events which have been taking place in the second half of this year, such as the Sustainability in Travel Retail Webinar.