Nordic Travel Retail Group (NTRG) Chairperson, Eva Rehnström welcomed 130 delegates to the Nordic Travel Retail Seminar in Helsinki this morning, while addressing the seminar theme of ‘Global Change’ and acknowledging the strong support NTRG receives from the Nordic Baltic region.

 

As promised in the schedule, former Swedish Prime Minister Fredrik Reinfeldt (2006-2014) opened proceedings, drawing on his 25-plus years of experience in the international political arena.

 

He talked about the global influences forcing change, while imparting substantial time to ongoing geopolitical changes, migration and digitalisation.

 

REINFELDT INTERACTED WITH DELEGATES

Reportedly energetic, with a statesman’s overview, he also interacted with a very attentive audience who sought both his opinions and insights before he departed following the lunch break.

 

The agenda was then set for the afternoon where ETRC Secretary General Keith Spinks was scheduled to talk about Brexit and its impact upon duty free sales and the scale of the opportunity for the industry.

 

Jessica Lee (CEO, Jelladin International Pte) and Hannes Koch (Managing Director, Travel Retail Cooperation) were then scheduled to talk about the Asian travelling shopper, while former Finnair COO and Deputy CEO Ville Iho was due to address the future of airlines in the travel ecosystem.

 

‘DEPENDENT ON OUR ABILITY TO CHANGE…

Last, but not least, the popular Swedish economist Kjell A. Nordström was due to deliver the closing keynote at this year’s seminar again, following the much appreciated presentation he delivered in Stockholm in 2016. TRBusiness hopes to deliver more news on the content of these later presentations tomorrow.

 

Meanwhile, in a brief extract from her address to the audience today, Eva Rehnström emphasised how important she believes it is that the industry is able to adapt to change, as she explained.

 

“We might not all embrace change even [though] we believe that we are able to adapt to changes. But for sure we are dependent on our ability to change, and therefore it is important that we meet as an industry to discuss ongoing and future changes – local and global.

 

RECORD NUMBER OF DELEGATES AGAIN…

“Once again, we are carried away by the support of our members and guests from the DFTR industry and it is with great joy that we note a match of our previous record high appearance [meaning delegate attendance level-Ed].

 

“The Nordic Travel Retail Seminar is established as a must-attend event in the Nordic & Baltic region and we are already looking forward to planning next year’s seminar.”

 

Today’s seminar was moderated by Dermot Davitt from the Moodie Davitt Report and following the seminar at Scandic Park in Helsinki, attendees will now attend a dinner tonight in central Helsinki.