A total of 1,977 visitors attended this month's TFWA Asia Pacific show in Asia, +1% increase on last year, of which 34% were key buyers and airport authorities (+1%) and 47% were agents (+12%).

TFWA said the balance was made up of press, guests and other trade visitors. A total of 199 international brand companies exhibited at the show at the Singapore Suntec Centre.

TFWA said that industry executives, including colleagues involved in the broader airport revenue generating businesses, gathered on Monday May 14 for the fourth Gate One commercial revenues conference. A total of 24 speakers and two professional moderators assembled in panels to contribute their expertise on subjects ranging from airport development and the emergence of airport cities to strategic partnerships and the topical issue of aviation security.

Over 200 delegates participated in the conference which at times became very animated. However, the format didn't quite work even though the content was good, as TFWA readily and honestly acknowledged afterwards.

But the same could not be said for the TFWA Asia Pacific Conference on Tuesday May 15, where TFWA President Erik Juul-Mortensen summarised the state of the global industry and highlighted India and China as the principal sources of growth.

This good address was followed by one of the best sessions TFWA has ever brought to a stage, called ‘The Indian Retail Revolution and its effects on Asia Pacific’. Approximately 450 delegates heard presentations from various representatives from airports, advertising agencies and also Alpha India and ITDC on their thoughts on this exploding marketplace.

A second session moderated by TREND Editor Doug Newhouse, featured aviation security and the current situation regarding liquids, aerosols and gels. This was kicked off with a presentation by Frank O?Connell, President of ETRC.

Representatives from the liquor and perfume sectors, the Australian Duty Free Association and APTRA joined the Singapore representative of the TSA to discuss the ongoing situation and proposals which might alleviate the situation. The questions and answers session which followed O'Connell's address proved particularly lively.

In addition, three topical workshops were held to focus attention on issues of particular interest to sectors of the industry: e-tailing (moderated by TREND Deputy Editor Anouska Forte), consumer purchasing behaviour and onboard sales.

As usual, TFWA also staged a number of successful social events and around 600 guests attended both the Welcoming Cocktail in the Raffles Hotel and the Singapore Swing in The Divine Society; 400 revellers enjoyed the Evening Beach Party on Sentosa Island; and 58 golfers battled it out at the Raffles Country Club. (A non TFWA event also saw more than 350 guests attend The Travel Retail Business' Blues Night event on the Wednesday night at La Baroque).

Commenting, Erik Juul-Mortensen said: ?TFWA conferences and workshops serve to focus the attention of the global duty free, travel retail and airport revenues industries on the potential offered by Asia as a fast developing market. The industry here, and indeed globally, is benefiting from the increased number of international travellers, but as always we are faced by challenges which threaten to upset the applecart. The latest challenge is the problem with the onboard transportation of LAGs on which the industry must present a united front.

?Besides assembling the international suppliers with their excellent array of products and providing them with appropriate facilities to exhibit to the buyers, TFWA endeavours to provide a forum for discussion, debate and, ultimately, action on any issue of concern to the trade. We believe that the 2007 Asian events fulfilled that objective.?

COMMENT: This was a well organised show and there was much evidence that solid business was taking place throughout the week. The Gate One panel format conference was a brave effort to break away from the boring presentation after presentation format, although it did jump around from subject to subject a little too much for many. TFWA has acknowledged that this needs tweaking.

By contrast – and in its own right – the half-day conference on the Tuesday morning was excellent however and the organisers should be congratulated for the Indian session in particular which was outstanding.