This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful.
News
Cannes readies for 2016 TFWA conference
Beachside yoga classes, a regatta and an ever-popular golf tournament are just some of the events set to take place at this year’s TFWA World Exhibition and Conference in Cannes.
Taking place between 2 to 7 October at the Palais des Festivals in Cannes, the TFWA World Exhibition & Conference invites some 6,500 delegates from the travel retail industry to network and do business, with some 3,000 premium brands due to exhibit their products.
The weekend prior to the event, delegates will be able to take advantage of a programme of leisure activities including a regatta, sponsored by Paul & Shark, and a yoga class overlooking the ocean.
A firm fixture on the Cannes calendar, the event’s annual golf tournament, organised by Gebr, will also take place. A pétanque competition, sponsored by Haribo, will make a welcome return and, once again, a charity run will see delegates take to the pavements to raise money for TFWA Care.
Alongside the more formal networking that will take place at the conference centre during the week, a number of alternative events have also been scheduled. As in previous years, an opening cocktail party will take place at the Carlton Hotel on Sunday which will culminate with a firework display over the sea, courtesy of the City of Cannes.
The 5-day programme will come to a close on Thursday with guests able to attend TWFA’s Le Premium evening, which will be catered by Michelin-starred chef Stéphanie Le Quellec with entertainment provided by Cuba’s Ballet Revolución.
“People like doing business with people they like,” says TFWA vice president, marketing Carla Guiducci. “The TFWA World Exhibition & Conference will provide plenty of occasions to strengthen the business relationships that are the bedrock of long-term prosperity.”
Read more:
Duty free wine and spirits suffers 2.7% decline
While Cannes provides a glamourous backdrop, the event will follow sobering news revealed at the 21st TFWA Asia Pacific Exhibition & Conference in Singapore that in 2015, for the first time since 2009, global duty free and travel retail sales fell.
TFWA president Erik Juul-Mortensen unveiled new data from travel retail specialists Generation Research at the event, with preliminary sales figures for 2015 totalling US$62 billion – a decline of 2.3% on the previous year.
Sales had fallen in all categories, except for fragrances and cosmetics, which grew by 2.3%. Sales of wine and spirits fell by 2.7%, making it a relatively strong performer against other categories, such as confectionery and fine food, which saw a 4% downturn, and watches and jewellery, which declined by an even more dramatic 13.2%.
Wine and spirits sales in global duty free and travel retail were valued at US$10.2 billion, making it the second largest category behind fragrances and cosmetics.
Commenting on the findings Juul-Mortensen said; “It is clear that while there are a number of challenges facing the duty free and travel retail sector, the wine and spirits category has not been as affected as some, and there are no shortage of opportunities to be had in this important channel.”
Pre-registration for the event in Cannes will be open until 7 September at www.tfwa.com.