Tourism has been identified as a key economic pillar in the global post-covid19 recovery. The duty free and travel retail industry is looking forward to closing the year with an upward curve but challenges such as border restrictions and consumer confidence still remain a threat to the travel industry’s viability. How are the region’s leading travel associations managing recovery and promoting tourism in the region?

Providing her perspective on what lies ahead for tourism in the Middle East will be our keynote speaker on day two, United Nations World Tourism Organization Middle East Regional Director Basmah Al-Mayman.

Bahrain International Airport’s new terminal will support the Kingdom’s strategic vision to strengthen its position as a hub in the Middle East. Equipped with the latest technologies and a “world-class” retail environment, the opening marks a new chapter in the history of retailer Bahrain Duty Free.

This session will hear from Bahrain Duty Free’s Chief Executive Officer & Board Director Bassam Al Wardi on retail developments at the Gulf’s newest terminal.

How will the pandemic change the travel experience? What measures are airports and airlines putting in place to ensure a seamless and safe environment for travellers? What impact will these measures have on travel retail?

This session will hear from Kamil Al Awadi, IATA Regional Vice President Africa and Middle East, and Airports Council International Africa Director General Ali Tounsi.

With the gradual restart of international travel under way, the travel retail industry is emerging from the most serious crisis in its history. The pandemic has accelerated a number of trends that will shape the future of our market, such as digitilisation, and brought into question the traditional business model. In this session, some of the leading travel retailers in the Middle East and Africa will gather for a panel discussion to address the issues our industry faces in the “new normal” ahead.

Joining the panel will be Ray Hernan, CEO of Aer Rianta International; Ramesh Cidambi, COO of Dubai Duty Free; Frédéric Chevalier, Chief Operating Officer – Europe, Middle East and Africa at Lagardère Travel Retail, Isabel Zarza, Chief Operating Officer – Central and North Europe, Russia and Africa, Dufry and François Bourienne, Chief Commercial Officer at Abu Dhabi Airports.

With the retailer’s Executive Vice Chairman and CEO Mr Colm McLoughlin