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Naledi KHABO

Naledi K. Khabo is a strategy leader with 25 years of experience in operations, marketing & technology. Having developed and implemented countless of global innovative multimedia brand initiatives, she combines business and technology acumen with the ability to translate complex technical concepts for practical business applications.

A graduate of Stanford University with a degree in Industrial Engineering, Naledi began her career as an analyst at Accenture, specializing in implementing global business and technology solutions. In 2006 Naledi joined ICED Media, a digital pioneer. Following her tenure at ICED, she served as Chief of Staff at the United States Small Business Administration My Brothers Keeper Millennial Entrepreneurial Initiative. My Brother’s Keeper was former United States’ President Barack Obama’s national initiative to increase the awareness of millennial entrepreneurship in the areas of music, fashion, film, and sports.

Naledi most recently brought her enthusiasm for innovative strategy, marketing, and technology to service global organizations focused on economic development and growth across Africa, engaging stakeholders ranging from small and medium enterprise owners to tourism Ministries and African Union Commission. She currently serves as chief executive at the Africa Tourism Association (ATA), a global trade association promoting travel and tourism to Africa and strengthening intra-Africa partnerships.

Naledi is cofounder of The Collective & Travel Is Better In Color, organizations driving inclusive engagement across the industry.

Thabet Musleh

Thabet Musleh is Chief Retail and Hospitality Officer at Qatar Airways, overseeing the Group’s retail and food & beverage operations through Qatar Duty Free (QDF), as well as Internal Media Services, Dhiafatina Hotels, Qatar Airways’ global lounge portfolio, and Qatar Aircraft Catering Company.

Since joining Qatar Airways in 2015, Thabet has played an integral role in the development of Qatar Duty Free’s retail and hospitality strategy at Hamad International Airport. Under his leadership, QDF has expanded to a workforce of more than 4,000 employees and has supported the airport’s growth as a major international retail and dining hub.

During this period, Qatar Duty Free has recorded strong commercial performance, with a focus on experience-led hospitality, a broad mix of retail and dining concepts, and the introduction of new formats and partnerships across the airport’s commercial areas.

Thabet’s contribution to the travel retail sector has been recognised by industry peers, including being named among The Moodie Davitt Report’s People of the Year from 2021 to 2025. In 2023, he also received an Outstanding Contribution Award at the Frontier Awards, acknowledging his role in the continued evolution of Hamad International Airport’s retail and dining offer. Most recently, at the 2026 Food & Beverage (FAB) + Hospitality Awards, Thabet received the FAB Award for Extraordinary Innovation and Quality Enhancement in Airport Food & Beverage, further recognising his leadership in shaping and elevating the airport’s hospitality and dining experience. 

Thabet brings more than twenty years of experience in travel retail. Before joining Qatar Airways, he spent ten years with World Duty Free Group, holding senior operational roles at Heathrow, Gatwick, and Stansted airports.

At Qatar Duty Free, he was appointed Head of Retail Operations in 2015, before being promoted to lead QDF in January 2018, and subsequently held the roles of Vice President Operations (2018), Vice President (2021), Senior Vice President (2023), before assuming his current position as Chief Retail and Hospitality Officer of Qatar Airways.

Nuno AMARAL

Nuno Amaral is CEO of ARI Middle East and Global Chief Operations Officer, leading business units across the Middle East, Europe, and North America. Based in Bahrain, he also oversees ARI’s global ESG agenda.

He joined ARI in 2014 as General Manager of Operations for the Middle East, later becoming CEO for the region and subsequently Chief Operations & Business Development Officer in Dublin. Nuno returned to the Middle East in 2025 to assume his expanded global role.

Originally from Portugal, he began his career with Deloitte and held senior leadership positions at Lidl and Unilever before entering the travel retail industry as CEO of Lojas Francas de Portugal, managing 31 outlets and TAP Portugal’s in-flight sales operations.  Nuno studied Business Management at Católica Lisbon and holds an MBA from Nova School of Business and Economics.

 

Dermot DAVITT

Dermot Davitt is one of the most experienced editors and commentators working in the travel retail media.

He joined The Moodie Report in April 2006 as Deputy Publisher, becoming President (and Co-owner) of The Moodie Davitt Report from August 2015. The company is today part of UK-based publishing and events business Mark Allen Group.

Davitt plays a key management role across the company’s operations, from its flourishing Print Division to the industry’s leading business intelligence website, www.MoodieDavittReport.com,  The Moodie Davitt e-Zine and other titles.

Based in Galway, Ireland, Dermot is also a highly experienced conference moderator. He has chaired and moderated many of the travel retail industry’s leading events over the years, including The Trinity Forum, the Airport Food & Beverage Conference & Awards, the MEADFA Conference, the TFWA Asia Pacific Conference, the Nordic Travel Retail Seminar and many others.