Women in Travel Retail+ (WiTR+) has exceeded its fund-raising target for its 2023 charity, the Koma Karanth Foundation.

At last week’s Cannes networking event, jointly hosted by Diageo, Victoria’s Secret and Tumi, WiTR+ announced that it had raised a staggering €34,000 (US$36,052) – more than double its original target – and enough to build and furnish five houses.

The total was boosted significantly by the generosity of Victoria’s Secret, who presented Koma Karanth Foundation Founder Maitreyi Karanth with a cheque for US$12,000.

Speaking at the Cannes event, WiTR+ Chair Sarah Branquinho commented: “We are absolutely thrilled with the turnout at today’s networking session and with the industry’s generosity. Our goal was to reach €15,000, and to raise over double that is mind-blowing.

“I’d like to extend my sincere thanks to everyone who donated, to Diageo for hosting, and to Tumi and Victoria’s Secret for co-sponsoring the event.”

Diageo Global Travel Managing Director Andrew Cowan added: “At Diageo we believe in championing inclusion and diversity, within our organisation and teams, through our brand campaigns and in partnership with our industry.

“I am delighted that we can support WITR+ and work alongside it, to continue to build a community in travel retail that is reflective of our diverse and inclusive travelling consumer.”

WiTR+ has gained significant momentum over the last twelve months with a programme of webinars and networking opportunities, in locations including Hong Kong, Singapore, Dubai, London, Hamburg and Miami.

Furthermore, it is now offering corporate partnerships to enable companies to offer membership to the women in their GTR teams.

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