The Middle East & Africa Duty Free Association (MEADFA) has announced details of the education programme at this year’s MEADFA Conference, 17-19 November in Abu Dhabi, UAE.

Managed in partnership with TFWA, the MEADFA Conference will take place over two-and-a-half days on 18-19 November at the five-star Fairmont Bab Al Bahr Hotel.

Senior executives from across the travel sector in the Middle East & Africa will deliver insights on a range of topics.

The agenda for day one of the conference will unpack how travel and tourism is driving economic growth in the region, with investments in airport capacity spurring an expansion in retail space.

Panel sessions will debate the importance of non-aeronautical revenues and the issues that require confronting to safeguard growth across the regional business.

Registration still open

On day two, delegates will learn about the recovery of travel and tourism, sustainability, the influence of AI on the customer experience and how to stay competitive in a tech-laden world.

Zayed International Airport Terminal A in Abu Dhabi.

A panel will also look at the use of mystery shopping as a tool to evaluate the customer experience and discuss the innovative strategies helping retailers to increase customer satisfaction.

Sponsors to date include IDF, Wellgio, Casa Maestri and Sterling Perfumes (Diamond Partners); Imperial Brands and Pernod Ricard (Platinum Partners); DFP World and Blue Gulf Marketing & Events (Gold Partners); Etihad Airways (Airline Partner), Al Nassma (Coffee Break Sponsor); and Lagardère Travel Retail, Loacker and Cloetta (Other Sponsors).

TRBusiness is a Media Partner for this year’s MEADFA Conference.

A welcome cocktail on Sunday and a gala and awards night hosted by Avolta on Monday couple with ample networking coffee breaks and lunches to keep delegates busy.

“As preparations continue for the MEADFA Conference in Abu Dhabi, registration numbers are building at an encouraging pace,” commented Sherif Toulan, President, MEADFA. “This year’s conference programme will create space for great insight from an impressive range of leading executives from across our industry, as well as plenty of opportunity to broaden industry connections. As the conference approaches, we look forward to welcoming our friends and business partners to Abu Dhabi.”

Erik Juul-Mortensen, President, TFWA said: “The team at TFWA are honoured to be managing the MEADFAConference once again this year. As a hub of economic and cultural diversity, and a region committed to boosting its tourism industry as a significant source of revenue, Abu Dhabi provides an ideal setting for the event. A highlight of this conference is the connections that are facilitated between industry colleagues from the region with those from other international markets.

“It presents delegates with the opportunity to discover more of how Middle Eastern and African business is operating, no matter where they reside in the world. I firmly believe that our time in Abu Dhabi this year will ensure that the MEADFA Conference maintains its reputation as an unmissable event.”

Registration for the MEADFA Conference remains open until 28 October.

Those wishing to register can do so by clicking here.

READ MORE: Early bird registration open for MEADFA Conference 2024 in Abu Dhabi

READ MORE: MEADFA Conference 2024 ‘heading to Abu Dhabi on 17-19 November’