TFWA WE 2024 Live: A conference highlighting global leadership, technology and possibilities
The 2024 TFWA World Conference in Cannes opened with a state-of-the-industry address by TFWA President Erik Juul-Mortensen, followed by an impressive all-women lineup of speakers. Each offered insights on leadership, innovation, and the future of travel, culminating in discussions on the interconnectedness of our world and beyond
Erik Juul-Mortensen: A visionary look at the future of duty-free

Erik Juul-Mortensen opened the conference by reflecting on the remarkable evolution of the duty free and travel retail industry over the past four decades. Juul-Mortensen spoke of the vast changes that have accompanied global events, including the democratization of travel. He highlighted that while only a few traveled in the 1980s, today, most people take at least one trip annually.
Juul-Mortensen also emphasized the rise of digitally savvy Gen Alpha consumers and the expanding influence of the Asian and cruise markets. He noted that the cruise industry, expected to reach 40 million passengers by 2027, is evolving with one-third of those travelers under 40 years old. Addressing regulatory threats and challenges, he stressed the need for vigilance, particularly in areas such as duty-free tobacco and illicit trade. As he prepares to step down at the end of the year, he expressed his gratitude for the resilience of TFWA and the dedication of those who have shaped its ongoing success.
Hillary Rodham Clinton: Democracy vs. autocracy in a divided world

In a candid conversation moderated by journalist Stephen Sackur, former U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton touched on the challenges of leadership during a time of widespread geopolitical tension. Clinton discussed the evolving global balance of power, focusing on the US-China rivalry and the significance of innovation for Europe's future growth.
Clinton also reflected on the broader battle between democracy and autocracy, framing the upcoming 2024 US election as pivotal in determining the future direction of global governance.
Sam Rad: Embracing the age of acceleration

Sam Rad, founder and CEO of Radical Next, followed with a forward-looking presentation on the profound changes brought by the digital age. She described the shift from a localized world to a global, decentralized one, driven by powerful technology in the form of smartphones and immersive digital platforms.
Rad emphasized the need to adapt to an era of acceleration, where automation, AI-driven personalization, and sensory activation are redefining retail. She called for a reimagining of consumer experiences—turning traditional shopping into personalized, immersive environments that engage the senses and adapt to individual needs. Despite fears surrounding rapid technological advances, Rad encouraged optimism, saying the future is “tailored, bespoke, and imaginative.”
Anousheh Ansari: Space as a path to global unity

NASA astronaut and XPrize Foundation CEO Anousheh Ansari closed the session with an inspiring account of her journey to becoming the first female private space explorer. Sharing stories from her childhood in Iran to her historic space voyage in 2006, Ansari highlighted the transformative potential of space travel.
Through the XPrize, Ansari has fostered innovation to address major global challenges, offering solutions that traditional commercial enterprises have struggled to achieve. She concluded with a powerful message: from space, national borders vanish, and the interconnectedness of humanity becomes apparent. This, she suggested, can help guide our decisions and improve life on Earth..