Asia to become largest travel-retail market in 2010

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Over 80 exhibitors attended the TFWA Asia Pacific briefing held at the Majestic Hotel in Cannes yesterday

TFWA commercial director Alain Maingreaud's presentation on TFWA Asia Pacific 2003 highlighted the importance of the Asia event, in the world's fastest-growing tourism market.

Maingreaud said that last year Asia/Pacific travel-retail sales reached $5bn, with northeast and southeast Asia accounting for 70% of this figure. Giving a detailed breakdown by region, distribution channel and product category, Maingreaud said that airports have been growing their market share in the region to 51.3%, followed by downtown and other shops at 414% and airlines 7.3%.

Visitor arrivals reached 171m in the region in 2001 with fast growth experienced in Malaysia and Fiji in particular. Arrivals are expected to continue rising by an average 4.8% per year until 2004, with northeast Asia up 5.8% annually. Meanwhile China is another growth area with 100m tourist arrivals forecast in 2003, and the region overall is the focus of a huge amount of airport and other investment.

Based on all current forecasts Asia/Pacific travel-retail will grow to become the largest regional market by 2010, representing some 40% of the global business.

After the presentation representatives from the Hong Kong Airport Authority showed the audience a video on the various projects under development at Chek Lap Kok airport.

• This year 1,650 visitors attended the TFWA Asia Pacific Exhibition at the Suntec Centre in Singapore.