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EVENTS

Despite geopolitical disruption and closed airspace, the Middle
East & Africa region lives up to its dynamic reputation with the
approach of the MEADFA Conference, to be held from 9 to 11
November at InterContinental Dubai Festival City.
This event will once again offer the opportunity to connect and
collaborate on the challenges and opportunities shaping the
future of duty free and travel retail. As Philippe Margueritte,
TFWA President, said, “Uncertainty seems to be the new normal
in our world. It has never been a better time for our industry to
join forces and share ideas so that we can plan for the future with
agility and with confidence. With the Middle East and Africa regions
expected to continue to play a pivotal role in the global market,
this conference offers an invaluable occasion to explore in detail
the trends impacting the industry here both today and tomorrow.”
THE MEADFA

CONFERENCE

9 – 11 NOVEMBER 2025 IN DUBAI

Growth is being achieved despite the current geopolitical Other major retailers including Avolta, ARI and Lagardère Travel
turmoil, with record sales by Dubai Duty Free in five of the Retail then share their views of the fast-changing commercial
first seven months of this year, record H1 passenger traffic at landscape in a panel discussion. Three further sessions
Jordan’s Queen Alia International Airport and a +6.9% year-on- complete the day’s programme with expert analysis of the
year passenger uplift at African airports in June boosted by regulatory environment in the region, the economic outlook
Egypt and Morocco. and the evolving expectations of travellers.
The Conference will kick off with a welcome by MEADFA The second day will focus on macro trends driving investment,
President Adbdesalam Agzoul, followed by regional market conditions and consumer behaviour across MEA, as
powerhouse Qatar Duty Free’s vision of the travel experience well as on the transformation of tourism in Saudi Arabia and its
at Hamad International Airport in Doha, presented by Thabet consequences for the travel retail industry.
Musleh, Chief Retail & Hospitality Officer with Qatar Airways. ACI and Gebr. Heinemann will provide input on the next wave of
African travel retail. Other highlights will be sustainability and
The event at InterContinental a session on how Indian travellers are reshaping travel retail in
the region. The day’s formal presentations close with data-rich
Dubai Festival City is a unique insights from IATA on regional trends.
The MEADFA Conference also offers ample occasions for
opportunity to network networking, starting from the Welcome Cocktail on Sunday

and discuss strategy evening, networking coffee breaks and lunches for Monday and
Tuesday and the gala dinner on Monday evening incorporating
the MEADFA awards.

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