LIVE: MEADFA 2024 - Day 1 Conference
The 2024 MEADFA Conference opened with over 500 delegates – its largest attendance in nearly a decade.
MEADFA President Sherif Toulan began with a poignant tribute to Colm McLoughlin, stating, “Most of us in this room will have our own cherished memory of Colm... we at MEADFA are very aware of the debt this association owes of him. We have lost a champion of our industry but we will remember him this week in Abu Dhabi and forever.”
Toulan also acknowledged Erik Juul-Mortensen’s retirement as TFWA President, recognizing his four decades of service to the industry and support of MEADFA.
The president noted that while it may be easy to be pessimistic about the region and business, the Middle East holds a unique position at the crossroads of East and West, with airport investments unmatched in any other region of the world.
The conference kicked off with a presentation by Abu Dhabi Airports Managing Director and CEO Elena Sorlini, showcasing the impressive new Terminal A – a game-changing facility capable of handling 45 million passengers and 79 aircraft simultaneously.
Sorlini reported Terminal A’s impressive first-year performance, with 28 million passengers served and a target of 29 million by year-end.
The “Fueling for Growth” panel featured industry leaders Marcus Spahn (General Manager of Commercial Non-Aero at MATARAT Holding), Chichi Maponya (Co-founder and Executive Chairperson Africa Travel Retail), and Abdeslam Agzoul (CEO Middle East and Africa of Avolta), who shared valuable insights on the region’s expanding airport retail landscape.
Travel and tourism are pivotal in driving economic growth in the Middle East and Africa and to enhance its status as a premier travel destination, the region is making substantial investments in expanding airport capacity resulting in a boost in airport retail space.
Marcus Spahn of MATARAT Holding detailed Saudi Arabia’s rapid transformation: “In terms of airport development infrastructure we have lined up quite some surprises and we are in an ongoing phase of transformation.”
He revealed that 50,000 square meters of commercial areas are under development, with Jeddah and Riyadh airports undergoing refurbishments. Commercial considerations are central to new terminal planning, with emphasis on Saudi heritage and sense of place. MATARAT is also expanding local partnerships in F&B, including a collaboration with a local chef.
Chichi Maponya, Co-founder of Africa Travel Retail, underlined the opportunities and challenges the Africa market presents. She highlighted efforts to improve terminal facilities in Nigeria, Algeria, Ethiopia, Namibia, and South Africa, while addressing visa challenges and the growing importance of local brands.
Ashish Chopra described India as “a sleeping giant,” noting how airport shopping has become essential and Indian brands are increasingly in demand. He said much has changed in the past five
years with Indian brands increasingly in demand and an emphasis on sense
of place.
Abdeslam Agzoul, Avolta CEO for Middle East & Africa, emphasized Abu Dhabi’s customer-centric approach, balancing international and local offerings. Customers from India are a key focus, as is the increasingly important combination of F&B and retail.
The advocacy session, moderated by TFWA’s former Managing Director John Rimmer, featured Rob Marriott leading MEADFA committee members in addressing partnership needs. Sarah Branquinho, Duty Free World Council President, provided strategic context and urged support for the “Duty Free: Trusted, Transparent, Secure” campaign, emphasizing, “It isn’t just about tobacco, this is going to affect all of us, so we all need to sign up.” She called for participation across categories, including perfumes and luxury goods.
Committee members including Banu Ekşi, Rania Abou Hussein, and Roger Jackson addressed several challenges, from tobacco regulations to emerging concerns in confectionery and liquor categories.
ForwardKeys Vice President Marina Giuliano concluded with travel recovery trends data, projecting MEA’s growth in 2025/26 to exceed global averages, reinforcing the region’s position in travel retail innovation.
It’s always inspiring to see our industry’s collaborative spirit in action, as we come together to discuss growth, partnerships, and innovation.
