The dates for this year’s TFWA World Exhibition & Conference in Cannes have been confirmed, with the global summit taking place from 1-5 October, 2023.

Duty free and travel retail industry stakeholders from around the world are expected to gather in full force for the event, which saw a significant risein visitor numbers in 2022, compared to the previous year.

Last year’s summit hosted a total of 5,983 visitors – up 77% from 3,373 in 2021 and a healthy step toward the record visitors numbers achieved in 2019 (7,215), prior to the pandemic.

READ MORE: TFWA World Exhibition & Conference visitors up 77% on 2021

At the close of the 2022 summit, recently re-elected TFWA President Erik Juul-Mortensen said that he was “convinced we will be flying at full height once again” by the time the industry reconvenes this October.

He reiterated how the association is “well placed to continue supporting the industry going forward” in 2023 and beyond.

The confirmed Cannes dates come as part of an announcement from TFWA regarding its line-up of live and online events over the next 12 months.

“The industry’s response to our events last year was incredibly positive, and the enthusiasm to conduct business face-to-face and meet with friends and industry colleagues was very evident,” said Juul-Mortensen.

“We are confident the range of events scheduled for 2023, both in-person and online, will provide a useful springboard for our members and business partners as they prepare for what promises to be a year of considerable opportunity for our industry.”

READ MORE: Erik Juul-Mortensen wins TFWA Presidential election

More key diary dates to note include the first live event of the year, the TFWA Asia Pacific Exhibition & Conference, which is returning to Marina Bay Sands Expo and Convention Centre in Singapore from 7-11 May.

Further to this, the ASUTIL Conference (managed by TFWA on behalf of ASUTIL), is back in South America for the first time in five years.

The in-person event will take place on 7-8 June at the Hotel Hilton in Puerto Madero, Buenos Aires, Argentina.

In addition to the trade shows, a full programme of webinars will be hosted on the TFWA 365 platform throughout the year.

The first will take place on 9 February and will spotlight the outlook for travel over the first half of 2023.