As our industry emerges from the most serious challenge in its history, MEADFA has been working to defend the interests of its members across the Middle East and Africa. This important session, steered by the MEADFA Advocacy Working Group, will update delegates on the latest regulatory and other challenges of which companies in duty free need to be aware.

Speakers will include the Chair of the MEADFA Advocacy Working Group Rob Marriott and MEADFA Board Members Roger Jackson and Mazen Kaddoura.  The session will also hear from Sarah Branquinho, President of the Duty Free World Council.

DOWNLOAD PRESENTATIONS

1. ROB MARRIOTT

Innovation and new technologies are turning science fiction into reality. The evolution of smart cities – with smart airports at their heart – is enabling new forms of sustainable and seamless air transport to emerge, bringing with it new opportunities for brands and retailers. Driven by data, convenience, and innovation, the future airport experience is upon us.

This session will hear from Waleed Khalaf, CEO of Smart Way Consultancy; and François Bourienne, Chief Commercial Officer at Abu Dhabi Airports, on the ways in which technology is changing life and travel for the better.

DOWNLOAD PRESENTATIONS

1. WALEED KHALAF

West Africa is widely seen as one of the continent’s most promising tourism markets. But it remains relatively untapped, in part owing to connectivity and infrastructure challenges. What needs to happen for the region’s potential to be unlocked?

Featuring Kojo Bentum Williams, Founder and publisher, VoyagesAfriq Travel Media and Lead Communications, UNWTO Africa, Gordon Clark, Vice President Business Development, ForwardKeys, who will present the latest travel data for the African continent. Other speakers to be confirmed.

The 2022 MEADFA Conference takes place at a time of hope and uncertainty for the duty free & travel retail industry. While the demand for travel post-Covid is high, the travel industry’s preparedness has been put under pressure. And although the summer season has been busy at airports around the region, recession looms in many key tourist-generating markets.

This session will bring together some of the leaders of the regional duty free & travel retail industry to assess the current and future state of the market, sharing experience and insights on the road ahead.

Speakers include Rob Marriott, CEO of Aer Rianta International-Middle East; Ramesh Cidambi, COO of Dubai Duty Free; and Isabel Zarza, COO North & Central Europe, Russia & Africa at Dufry Group.

DOWNLOAD PRESENTATIONS

1. RAMESH CIDAMBI
2. ROB MARRIOTT

With a brand new airport consolidating Bahrain’s status as a key travel destination in the Gulf, the Kingdom is well placed to help drive the recovery of travel & tourism in the region. The opening session of the MEADFA Conference will hear a keynote address from Bahrain Airport Company CEO Mohamed Yousif Al Binfalah.