TFWA visitor numbers break 7,000 barrier for first time

The TFWA World Exhibition & Conference is celebrating a record year with a total of 7,015 visitors, up 3% from 2017, from 3,088 companies attending the show in Cannes this year.

The event organiser said that the numbers “also bore witness to the healthy position of the duty free and travel retail industry”.

The number of exhibitors at the show grew slightly from 514 in 2017 to 516 in 2018 across 496 stands, with 14 official boats moored at the harbour village.

The opening conference also had record attendance, with 1,676 taking part, up by 2% on last year.

New elements this year included an extension of the beach village and the creation of the TFWA digital village pitch corner which allowed attendees to hear more about the latest technological advances from exhibitors during four sessions.

The fair also ran a meeting service which helped to schedule 346 pre-arranged meetings with a further 168 held at the TFWA digital village.

The new app proved popular and was downloaded by 3,276 people during the event. Social event highlights included a golf tournament, in partnership with Qatar Duty Free and sponsored by Dr Irena Eris, which saw 80 golfers compete at Royal Mougins Golf Club, while 40 people took part in the annual sailing regatta sponsored by Paul & Shark. The charity run attracted 99 participants while 100 endulged in a pétanque tournament and 41 joined in the yoga sessions sponsored by Rituals. The opening cocktail event was also a hit with a total of 1,664 guests.

Commenting on the figures for the last time in his role as TFWA President, Erik Juul-Mortensen said: “These figures demonstrate the strength of our industry, and are definitely indicative of the sentiment here in Cannes this week. It’s very gratifying to have seen so many people over the past few days, and I look forward to seeing many of them again next month at the MEADFA Conference in Beirut”.