The TFWA World Exhibition & Conference 2026 recorded 8,011 visitors representing 185 countries during its five-day event in Cannes from September 27 to October 1, according to Global Travel Retail Magazine (www.gtrmag.com). This marks the second consecutive year the event has broken its attendance record.
Attendance Driven by Global Travel Retail Engagement
The event featured 482 exhibiting companies displaying products and services across 26,266 square meters of exhibition space. Among these, 54 companies participated for the first time at Cannes. Duty-free and travel retail operators, alongside agents and distributors, comprised 65% of the visitor population. Visitors originated primarily from Europe (56%), followed by Asia-Oceania (17%), the Middle
East (12%), the Americas (11%), and Africa (4%).
Business Meetings and Conference Activities Highlight Industry Priorities
Nearly 2,000 meetings were arranged via the ONE2ONE service, facilitating direct interactions between exhibitors and travel retail professionals. The TFWA World Conference attracted 1,517 attendees, featuring a State of the Industry address by TFWA President Sarah Branquinho and presentations from international experts. Four workshops accumulated 278 participants, focusing on sector challenges and opportunities.
A dedicated Start-Up Day, supported by Mondelēz, spotlighted 10 emerging companies to promote innovation within travel retail, offering these businesses a platform to engage with the international travel retail community.
Governance and Networking Reflect Sector Collaboration
On September 30 and October 1, the TFWA elected
a new Management Committee and Board representing 40 companies for the 2026–2028 term. Appointed Board members include Vice-President Finance Jean-Pierre Bombet of Spa Development / Be Relax; Vice-President Corporate Priscilla Haibe de Walque of Payot; Vice-President Commercial Irene Giatra of Estée Lauder Companies; Vice-President Marketing Alessio Crivelli of EssilorLuxottica; and Vice-President Conference & Research Sam Gerber of WorldConnect.
Networking events complemented the business program, with the Opening Cocktail at Carlton Beach hosting over 3,000 guests and the TFWA Lounge welcoming more than 2,700 visitors during its final evening. Qatar Duty Free served as the Main Partner of the TFWA Lounge,
enhanced by sponsors including Haribo, Heineken, Lakrids by Bülow, Liviko Crafter’s, Pernod Ricard Global Travel Retail, Pringles, Santa Margherita, Seeberger, Storck, Walker’s Shortbread, and Wonderful Pistachios.
Social Initiatives Support Inclusion and Cancer Research
TFWA strengthened its social responsibility efforts with the fourth edition of the “Yes We Cannes!” Handisport event, organized with Stade Toulousain Handisport and m1nd-set to promote adaptive sports and accessibility.
Delegates participated in the #KickCancerThon, a stationary bike cycling event outside the Palais des Festivals initiated by The Moodie Davitt Report. Participants completed a combined total of 1,502 kilometers, equivalent to the distance from Cannes to Lisbon. TFWA pledged a €10 donation per kilometer
cycled, resulting in a €15,022 contribution to cancer research at The Royal Marsden Hospital. The top individual cyclist covered 150 kilometers.
On September 28, TFWA renewed its partnership with SEMEC, ensuring that Cannes will continue as the venue for the World Exhibition & Conference for at least the 2027 to 2029 editions. The next event is scheduled for October 3–7, 2027.
