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Tuesday 12 May 2026 4 T F W A D A I L Y Yesterday morning’s TFWA Asia Pacific Conference opened with a vision for what lies ahead, as Sarah Branquinho, newly elected President of TFWA, reflected on the priorities shaping travel retail’s next chapter in the Asia Pacific region – defined by innovation, collaboration and renewed purpose. The priorities shaping travel retail’s next chapter in Asia Pacific T he TFWA Asia Pacific Conference opened yesterday morning with a strong message of resilience, collaboration and long-term optimism from newly appointed TFWA President Sarah Branquinho, who addressed delegates amid ongoing geopolitical and economic uncertainty. “The fact that you’ve chosen to be here at a time of such geopolitical and economic uncertainty really speaks to the importance of the Asia Pacific region for our industry, and the strength of our duty free and travel retail community,” said Branquinho. Acknowledging the impact of the conflict in the Middle East, Branquinho said the crisis had disrupted aviation, supply chains and trade, with visible consequences including “softer traveller sentiment in several hubs, route suspensions, rising fuel costs, and the very real prospect of fuel shortages.” She also paid tribute to industry partners unable to attend the event. “We are missing many of our close friends and colleagues from the Middle East. Their absence is deeply felt and we hope they, and all their teams, remain safe,” said Branquinho, while thanking Qatar Duty Free for continuing its support of the event. Delivering her first opening address as TFWA President, Branquinho reflected on her four decades in the industry, including helping establish the first TFWA Asia Pacific event in Singapore in 1995. “This industry is, at its core, a community built on trust, long relationships and shared experience.” Much of the speech focused on the enduring strength of Asia Pacific as the engine of global travel retail growth. Branquinho highlighted the region’s strong economic outlook, rapid aviation recovery and evolving consumer expectations, noting that “Asia remains the engine of global consumer growth”. She pointed to the increasing importance of omnichannel retail across the region, as well as the diversity of opportunity available in markets ranging from China and India to Southeast Asia, Japan and South Korea. Citing industry and aviation data, Branquinho said Asia Pacific continues to outperform other regions in air traffic growth, with seven of the world’s 10 busiest international routes now located within the region. “68% of this region’s passengers are travelling within Asia Pacific itself,” she noted, adding that intra-regional travel strength could help insulate the market from broader geopolitical disruption. Branquinho also referenced preliminary figures from Generation Research showing global duty free and travel retail sales rising 2.4% in 2025 to US$75.9 billion, with Asia Pacific retaining its leadership position despite softer regional turnover. Across the address, Branquinho repeatedly returned to the changing nature of the travelling consumer. “Today’s shopper is evolving and we need to stay abreast of developments if we are to continue to take full advantage of the opportunity they present,” she said, describing consumers as increasingly purposeful, digitally engaged and focused on differentiation, transparency and premium experiences. Looking ahead, Branquinho positioned TFWA Asia Pacific Exhibition & Conference as a platform for future industry growth and collaboration. “TFWA Asia Pacific has always been the industry’s undisputed platformwhere we gather, connect, and grow our business further, and strengthen one another.” She also highlighted the continued evolution of the event, including new zoning initiatives, expanded innovation areas, Taste of the World, and enhanced networking concepts, while encouraging delegates to help shape future editions. “TFWA listens. We evolve because you shape us,” Branquinho concluded. “Think of TFWA as the mothership – a home for ideas, relationships and leadership.” TFWA President Sarah Branquinho: “TFWA Asia Pacific is evolving. The changes you see this year – new zoning, expanded innovation, Taste of the World – are just the beginning. This is why TFWA Asia Pacific 2027 and beyond will be unmissable for brands, retailers, airports and partners.”