The MEADFA Conference 2025 attracted 736 delegates.

This year’s MEADFA Conference in Dubai, which took place from 7-11 November, smashed previous attendance records with 736 DF&TR industry executives participating.

The conference room reached maximum capacity, reported Tax Free World Association (TFWA), which was managed the event on behalf of the Middle East and Africa Duty Free Association (MEADFA), reflecting the ‘strong momentum and confidence’ driving the duty free and travel retail (DF&TR) industry across the Middle East & Africa.

“It has been a true honour to welcome our industry colleagues, partners and friends back to Dubai – the home of MEADFA – for this year’s record-breaking conference,” said Abdeslam Agzoul, MEADFA President.

“This exceptional turnout is a testament to the strength and resilience of the duty free and travel retail industry across the Middle East and Africa, and to Dubai’s enduring role as a global hub for our sector.

“I am deeply grateful to our host, Dubai Duty Free, for their generosity and hospitality, and to all those who have helped build MEADFA into the strong and respected Association it is today. As my first conference as President, it has been inspiring to see so much optimism for the future of our region’s aviation and tourism industries.”

MEADFA President Abdeslam Agzoul. Photo: TFWA Press Office. 

The event opened with a welcome address from moderators Dermot Davitt and Michele Miranda and MEADFA President Abdeslam Agzoul.

This was followed by discussions on leading through change, the evolving role of airports, safeguarding tomorrow’s travel retail and a debate centred on the new face of luxury, local and lifestyle in travel retail throughout the Middle East & Africa.

Day two opened with a session on how the industry can lead through risk with resilience, followed by discussions on the industry’s growth opportunities in Saudi, and MEADFA’s sustainability update. The final two sessions of the day were themed around the next wave of Africa travel retail and the growth of the Indian market.

“The MEADFA Conference once again proves its importance as a key event for the Middle East and Africa travel retail community,” said Philippe Margueritte, TFWA President.

“We are proud to support MEADFA in providing a platform where new ideas are shared, partnerships are built, and the future of our industry is shaped – particularly in such a dynamic and fast-evolving region.”

Delegates also enjoyed a varied networking programme, which included a welcome cocktail on Sunday evening and a Gala dinner on Monday night when the MEADFA Awards winners were announced.  A lively exhibition took place in the foyer throughout the conference.

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