QATAR/VIETNAM. The Moodie Davitt Report is pleased to announce that Qatar Duty Free is returning as a Platinum Partner and day one Lunch Sponsor of the Trinity Forum to be held in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam on 5-6 November.

The company, a long-time supporter of the event and deeply committed to the Trinity principles of greater cooperation and understanding between stakeholders, was previously a Platinum partner for the Forum in 2019 and 2023.

Qatar Duty Free Senior Vice President Thabet Musleh said: “Qatar Duty Free is excited to once again announce its partnership as a Platinum Partner of the Trinity Forum, a highly impactful event that continues to significantly shape the future of our industry.

“The Moodie Davitt Report and Airports Council International’s vision of enhancing mutual understanding and growth amongst industry members within the dynamic travel retail industry is why we are keen to continue our committed support for The Trinity Forum.

“We take great pride in our past successes in supporting the Trinity Forum in 2019 and 2023 and are continuously dedicated to initiatives that create new opportunities for our industry.”

As previously announced, Musleh is one of the leading travel retail figures to speak at The Trinity Forum 2024 in what is shaping up to be a blockbuster edition of the world’s leading airport commercial revenues event.

Musleh is one of the most-respected and forward-thinking executives in the airport commercial revenues world. Over recent years, he has driven an extraordinary retail and food & beverage transformation at Hamad International Airport, Doha.

That achievement has been recognised across an unprecedented array of award programmes. In 2023, Qatar Duty Free won the Airport Food & Beverage Offer of the Year accolade at The Moodie Davitt Report’s FAB Awards in Bangkok, Thailand, one of 12 awards on the night including Food & Beverage Opening of the Year for Louis Vuitton Lounge by Yannick Alléno.

In April, Hamad International Airport was named ‘World’s Best Airport Shopping’ in the Skytrax World Airport Awards 2024 for the second consecutive year. The Doha gateway was also recognised by Skytrax as ‘World’s Best Airport’ for the third time and ‘Best Airport in the Middle East’ for the tenth consecutive year.

The Trinity Forum is owned by The Moodie Davitt Report and organised in partnership with Airports Council International (ACI) World and ACI Asia-Pacific & Middle East.

This year’s event will see unprecedented involvement by airports and airport groups worldwide, reflecting the growing importance of commercial and wider non-aeronautical revenues in the aviation industry.

The programme will highlight opportunities and challenges in both established and emergent markets, the latter including Saudi Arabia (currently seeing profound structural change within its aviation and travel retail sectors), India and Vietnam.

As reported, the high-profile line-up of powerful and diverse speakers include Adani Airports Holding Chief Executive Officer Arun Bansal, who will be a big drawcard as he explores prospects in India and beyond as seen through the lens of this hugely ambitious latter-day giant of the airport world.

He will be joined by Riyadh Airports Company Chief Commercial Officer Abdulaziz Al Asaker, who will focus on the opportunities presented by the thriving Saudi airport commercial revenues landscape.

IPP Travel Retail CEO Phillip Nguyen will outline a myriad of positive developments in Vietnam within the wider travel and tourism ecosystem, with a special emphasis on the exciting new Long Thanh International Airport currently in the advanced stages of construction.

Discounted ‘Early Bird’ rates are now available to delegates. Click here to register.

Details of more sponsorship agreements and confirmed speakers will follow soon. ✈

• For sponsorship enquiries please contact Irene Revilla at Irene@MoodieDavittReport.com
• For speaking opportunities and organisational enquiries please contact Vincci Chung at Vincci@MoodieDavittReport.com

VIETNAM. The Moodie Davitt Report is pleased to announce the key venues for the eagerly anticipated Trinity Forum to be hosted by Airports Corporation of Vietnam (ACV) and Imex Pan Pacific Group (IPPG) on 5-6 November in Ho Chi Minh City.

The Conference & Gala Dinner will take place at the Gem Center, located at the heart of Ho Chi Minh City’s central business district. The state-of-the-art multipurpose venue has become a top destination for high-profile events and exhibitions.

The main hall can accommodate up to 1,800 attendees and is equipped with cutting-edge audio-visual technology, flexible staging and customisable lighting for immersive and impactful experiences.

The Rooftop Garden Bar at the historic Rex Hotel in Ho Chi Minh City will serve as the location for the Opening Cocktail. The venue offers 360-degree views of the city’s skyline.

The Trinity Forum is the world’s leading travel retail and airport commercial revenues conference, owned by The Moodie Davitt Report and organised in partnership with ACI Asia-Pacific & Middle East and Airports Council International (ACI) World.

This year’s event will see unprecedented involvement by airports and airport groups worldwide, reflecting the growing importance of commercial and wider non-aeronautical revenues in the aviation industry.

The programme will focus on opportunities and challenges in both established and emergent markets, the latter including Saudi Arabia (currently seeing profound structural change within its aviation and travel retail sectors), India and Vietnam.

As reported, the conference will feature a powerful line-up of top-class speakers including Adani Airports Holding Chief Executive Officer Arun Bansal, who will be a big drawcard as he explores prospects in India and beyond as seen through the lens of this hugely ambitious latter-day giant of the airport world.

Joining them is Riyadh Airports Company Chief Commercial Officer Abdulaziz Al Asaker, who will present the opportunities presented by the thriving Saudi airport commercial revenues landscape.

IPP Travel Retail CEO Phillip Nguyen will outline a myriad of positive developments in Vietnam within the wider travel and tourism ecosystem, with a special emphasis on the exciting new Long Thanh International Airport currently in the advanced stages of construction.

Discounted ‘Early Bird’ rates are now available to delegates. Click here to register.

Details of more sponsorship agreements and confirmed speakers will follow soon. ✈

• For sponsorship enquiries please contact Irene Revilla at Irene@MoodieDavittReport.com
• For speaking opportunities and organisational enquiries please contact Vincci Chung at Vincci@MoodieDavittReport.com

VIETNAM. Registration has opened for the highly anticipated Trinity Forum 2024, to be hosted by IPP Travel Retail on 5-6 November in Ho Chi Minh City.

Discounted ‘Early Bird’ rates are now available to delegates. Click here to register.

An Early Bird delegate pass for US$1,100 is available for ACI members, and US$1,300 for non-members until 10 September. After that, registration will be US$1,400 and US$1,600 respectively.

The Trinity Forum is the world’s leading travel retail and airport commercial revenues conference, owned by The Moodie Davitt Report and organised in partnership with Airports Council International (ACI) World and ACI Asia-Pacific & Middle East.

This year’s event will see an unprecedented involvement by airports and airport groups worldwide, reflecting the growing importance of commercial and wider non-aeronautical revenues in the aviation industry.

The programme will revolve around opportunities and challenges in both established and emergent markets, the latter including Saudi Arabia (currently seeing profound structural change within its aviation and travel retail sectors), India and Vietnam.

As reported, the conference will highlight a stellar line-up of speakers including Adani Airports Holding Chief Executive Officer Arun Bansal, who will be a big drawcard as he delves into prospects in India and beyond as seen through the lens of this hugely ambitious latter-day giant of the airport world.

Participants will hear from Riyadh Airports Company Chief Commercial Officer Abdulaziz Al Asaker, who will reveal the opportunities presented by the burgeoning Saudi airport commercial revenues landscape.

IPP Travel Retail CEO Phillip Nguyen will outline a myriad of positive developments in Vietnam within the wider travel and tourism ecosystem, with a special focus on the exciting new Long Thanh International Airport currently in the advanced stages of construction.

Details of more sponsorship agreements and confirmed speakers will follow soon. ✈

• For sponsorship enquiries please contact Irene Revilla at Irene@MoodieDavittReport.com
• For speaking opportunities and organisational enquiries please contact Vincci Chung at Vincci@MoodieDavittReport.com

VIETNAM. Diageo Global Travel has once again signed as Platinum Partner for this year’s The Trinity Forum, set to take place on 5-6 November in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.

The Trinity Forum, the world’s most influential airport commercial revenues conference, is owned by The Moodie Davitt Report and co-organised with Airports Council International (ACI) World and ACI Asia-Pacific & Middle East. The Trinity Forum 2024 is being hosted by IPP Travel Retail.

Diageo Global Travel, a long-time supporter of the event, was a Platinum Partner for the post-COVID editions in 2022 and 2023.

Diageo Global Travel Managing Director Andrew Cowan said: “We are delighted to be returning to the Trinity Forum in 2024. A hugely valuable meeting for in-person connections and discussions crucially leading to action and new relationships for the progress needed in a range of areas for our industry.

“It is vital to have the opportunity to come together as a diversified and global network of retailers, brand owners, airports and partners in travel retail. Each year at Trinity we have the opportunity to raise topics which are of interest, concern and potential. Outside of normal business activity and engagement it is a chance to collaborate and debate.

“I am looking forward to seeing how we have moved forward some of the themes from last year like building greater sustainability into our ways of working and indeed how we simply do more to excite our travelling consumer community and reinforce the travel retail environment as the most dynamic retail space available to brands.

“Diageo is looking forward to another engaging, diverse and high impact series of meetings and discussions hosted by Trinity.”

Registration will open soon for the Trinity Forum. You can visit the dedicated website for the event here.

Details of more sponsorship agreements and confirmed speakers will follow soon.

• For sponsorship enquiries please contact Irene Revilla at Irene@MoodieDavittReport.com
• For speaking opportunities and organisational enquiries please contact Vincci Chung at Vincci@MoodieDavittReport.com ✈

QATAR/VIETNAM. Qatar Duty Free Senior Vice President Thabet Musleh is the latest leading travel retail executive to join the speaking line-up for The Trinity Forum 2024 in what is shaping as a blockbuster edition of the world’s leading airport commercial revenues event.

The Trinity Forum takes place on 5-6 November in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, co-hosted by Airports Corporation of Vietnam and IPP Group. The event is owned by The Moodie Davitt Report and co-organised with Airports Council International (ACI) World and ACI Asia-Pacific & Middle East.

Musleh is one of the most-respected and forward-thinking executives in the airport commercial revenues world. Over recent years he has driven an extraordinary retail and food & beverage transformation at Hamad International Airport, Doha.

That achievement has been recognised across an unprecedented array of award programmes. In 2023, Qatar Duty Free won the Airport Food & Beverage Offer of the Year accolade at The Moodie Davitt Report’s FAB Awards in Bangkok, Thailand, one of 12 awards on the night including Food & Beverage Opening of the Year for Louis Vuitton Lounge by Yannick Alléno.

In October 2023, Qatar Duty Free was named Airport Retailer of the Year at the Frontier Awards, marking the first time any company has won both the leading F&B and retailer awards in the same year.

Earlier this month, Hamad International Airport was named ‘World’s Best Airport Shopping’ in the Skytrax World Airport Awards 2024 for the second consecutive year. The Doha gateway was also recognised by Skytrax as ‘World’s Best Airport’ for the third time and ‘Best Airport in the Middle East’ for the tenth consecutive year.

Musleh brings more than 15 years of experience in travel retail to his leadership of Qatar Duty Free’s retail, food & beverage and in-house advertising divisions. He has played an instrumental role in the company generating record-breaking duty free sales and positioning Qatar Duty Free as a leader in pioneering concepts, including ‘transit tourism’ and a series of world-first retail and F&B openings.

Under his stewardship, Qatar Duty Free aims to deliver experience-led hospitality and a ‘something for everyone’ proposition, regardless of their budget or preference.

Musleh joined Qatar Duty Free’s parent company Qatar Airways in 2015 as Head of Retail Operations for the national carrier’s duty-free business, before being promoted to head  the business in January 2018. He was appointed as Vice President Operations in 2018, Vice President in 2021 and Senior Vice President in 2023. Earlier in his career, he spent 10 years at World Duty Free Group and held senior roles across London’s three biggest airports: Heathrow, Gatwick and Stansted.

Musleh was named one of The Moodie Davitt Report’s People of the Year in 2021, 2022 and 2023 for his contribution to the company and the travel retail industry.

The Moodie Davitt Report Founder & Chairman Martin Moodie said: “We are delighted Thabet is joining what promises to be an awesome edition of The Trinity Forum. His vision, innovation, determination and professionalism have been instrumental in Qatar Duty Free and Hamad International Airport setting new standards in airport retail and food & beverage.

“The unprecedented string of awards speaks for itself but even they only hint at the profoundly experiential dimension that Hamad International Airport and Qatar Duty Free have brought to the travelling consumer. Delegates at this year’s Trinity Forum are in for a treat.”

{This short video shot by Martin Moodie on his iPhone captures a snapshot of the luxury offer at Hamad International Airport}

Musleh will be joined by many other leaders from the travel retail community and beyond. Adani Airports Holding Chief Executive Officer Arun Bansal will be a big drawcard as he speaks about prospects in India and beyond as seen through the lens of this hugely ambitious latter-day giant of the airport world.

Riyadh Airports Company Chief Commercial Officer Abdulaziz Al Asaker will address the opportunities presented by the burgeoning Saudi airport commercial revenues landscape. IPP Travel Retail CEO Phillip Nguyen will outline a myriad of positive developments in Vietnam within the wider travel and tourism ecosystem, with a special focus on the exciting new Long Thanh International Airport currently in the advanced stages of construction.

Registration will open soon for the Trinity Forum. You can visit the dedicated website for the event here.

Details of more sponsorship agreements and confirmed speakers will follow soon. ✈

• For sponsorship enquiries please contact Irene Revilla at Irene@MoodieDavittReport.com
• For speaking opportunities and organisational enquiries please contact Vincci Chung at Vincci@MoodieDavittReport.com

 

VIETNAM.  Airports Corporation of Vietnam (ACV) last night joined Imex Pan Pacific Group (IPPG) as a co-host of The Trinity Forum 2024 during a memorable signing ceremony and gala dinner in Ho Chi Minh City.

The Trinity Forum – widely recognised as the world’s most influential airport commercial revenues conference – takes place in the city on 5-6 November.

The hosting agreement was inked at the famous Rex Hotel by event organisers The Moodie Davitt Report, ACI Asia-Pacific & Middle East (APAC & MID) and ACI World and joint hosts Airports Corporation of Vietnam and Imex Pan Pacific Group.

Over 70 guests, plus over 50 media titles and Ho Chi Minh City Television (HTV) were in attendance.

Created by The Moodie Davitt Report in 2003, The Trinity Forum has flourished in stature to become a critical annual gathering to help shape and improve airport and travel retail services and revenues.

IPPG Founder and Chairman Johnathan Hanh Nguyen told guests: “Thirty-nine years ago, the Vietnamese government entrusted me with the crucial task of opening Vietnam’s skies by launching international flights. Having successfully accomplished that mission, my enduring ambition has been to bring the best of the world to Vietnam.

“Today marks a significant milestone as we decide to host The Trinity Forum 2024 here in Ho Chi Minh City. This event is an integral part of our longstanding strategy to develop the aviation and travel retail industries, which our group has been actively pursuing for many years.

“The Trinity Forum is an esteemed international platform in the travel retail and aviation sectors, attracting hundreds of attendees, including speakers, experts, industry leaders and investors from over 50 countries annually for more than two decades. The Forum has played a pivotal role in the global development of these industries.

“As we all know, Ho Chi Minh City is a major hub of economic, cultural, educational, and technological activities and serves as a vital gateway for international trade and integration. This strategic position presents significant potential for diversifying economic activities, including aviation and tourism-related retail.

“Hosting the renowned Trinity Forum here in November 2024 offers us a tremendous opportunity to share experiences, promote tourism and showcase the culture and people of Vietnam.

“We will strive to collaborate closely with all relevant parties to ensure the organisational aspects are handled excellently, so that every delegate attending The Trinity Forum in November 2024 will have an unforgettable experience in our country, Vietnam.

“Today, ACV and IPPG are proud to co-host The Trinity Forum in November 2024. We believe this collaboration will foster a prosperous future for the aviation and travel retail industries in Vietnam.”

State Capital at Enterprises Vice Chairman of Commission for the Management Nguyen Ngoc Canh said: “This signing ceremony underscores the robust and professional collaboration between the organising parties, The Moodie Davitt Report, ACI World and ACI Asia & Middle East, together with the local co-hosts – ACV, the leading state-owned enterprise responsible for managing and operating 21 airports across Vietnam and IPPG, representing the aviation, airport investment, duty-free business, retail and tourism sectors.

“Through this event, I hope that it will elevate the status on the international tourism and shopping map, attract investments into the retail sector, and stimulate economic growth based on tourism, thereby creating jobs, increasing income for our citizens and enhancing service quality.”

The Moodie Davitt Report Founder & Chairman Martin Moodie said: “I created The Trinity Forum back in 2003 as an effort to foster enhanced mutual understanding between airport and travel retail sector stakeholders. This would, I believe, mean the travelling consumer would be better served and airport commercial services and revenues would improve by focusing on growing the pie – rather than who got the greatest slice.

“The event has been hosted in some of the world’s great cities… all hotbeds of the aviation and travel retail world. So why Ho Chi Minh City and Vietnam? And why now? The answer, Ladies and Gentlemen, is that Vietnam is truly one of the world’s fastest-developing, most exciting airport, aviation, tourism and travel retail markets.

“Over the past few years I have visited Ho Chi Minh City on several occasions. I never fail to be amazed by its energy, vitality and determination to create a better future. And those same qualities are playing out in the worlds of aviation and tourism. Our hosts for this year, Airports Corporation of Vietnam and IPP Group, are highly professional, forward-thinking companies dedicated to providing world-class services for Vietnamese and international travellers alike.

“Their plans are in turn attracting the intense interest of the biggest brands, most powerful travel retailers, the top food & beverage providers and more. All those sectors will be strongly represented at The Trinity Forum in Ho Chi Minh City, not just for the opportunities they see today – but for tomorrow and long into the future.

“Travel retail, whether in international terminals or domestic terminals, will play a key role in the Vietnamese government’s master plan to construct eight new airports across the country – led of course by the hugely ambitious Long Thanh Airport project, set to become Vietnam’s biggest and best airport.”

{ACI World Director Luis Felipe de Oliveira sent this message of support to guests at the official signing ceremony for the hosting of The Trinity Forum 2024}

ACI World Director Luis Felipe de Oliveira commented: “As airports navigate the evolving landscape of travel and commerce, fostering robust partnerships with retailers is paramount for both airport economic sustainability and enhancing the passenger experience. With projections pointing towards a doubling of passenger numbers by 2042, airports must innovate their commercial strategies to meet evolving customer demands; and this begins now.

“As we convene in Vietnam for the 2024 Trinity Forum with hosts ACV and IPP Group, we will embark on never-before seen dialogues between airports, brands, and concessionaires, alongside their business partners in the travel retail sector – all to ensure that airports remain vibrant hubs of commerce and connectivity in the years to come.”

ACI Asia-Pacific & Middle East Director General Stefano Baronci said: “As the Vietnamese proverb has it, ‘One tree cannot make a hill, but three trees together can make a high mountain’. The Trinity Forum is faithful to this belief, through the relationship that it has created first between airport operators, brands and concessionaires in developing the commercial business at airports.

“But also through the long-lasting cooperation between the Trinity ACI World, ACI Asia Pacific and The Moodie Davitt Report. The non-aeronautical revenues are a critical source of income for airports, particularly in Asia, to boost profitability but also as additional cushion during economic downturns.

“In partnership with the national authorities, ACV has gigantic plans of infrastructure development, with the announced target of increasing to 30 the number of airports in 2030, an investment of almost US$18 billion that will add 200 million pax capacity to the existing one. A pre-condition for creating the necessary Sense of Place and space for a better customer experience.

“This event serves as a platform to exchange ideas and explore innovation and develop strategies… together, let us build on the positive momentum of the aviation industry and redefine the boundaries of what our airports can achieve.”

The Moodie View: The Trinity Forum coming to Ho Chi Minh City and Vietnam for the first time is a very big deal for the city and the country.

That was abundantly clear last night from the powerful line-up of dignitaries and a 50-strong media delegation to attend the most lavish signing ceremony in the event’s 21-year history.

Airports Corporation of Vietnam’s decision to join IPPG – parent company of IPP Travel Retail – as The Trinity Forum co-host underlines its acute awareness of the vital role of non-aeronautical, commercial revenues and a desire to grow them while also enhancing the consumer offer to international and local travellers.

IPPG Founder and Chairman Johnathan Hanh Nguyen is a key figure in realising that mission. Acknowledged as a pioneering figure of aviation and airport services in Vietnam, his vision of developing these activities to world-class level – beautifully and sometimes emotionally articulated last night – is fast coming to fruition. 

Nguyen is determined to bring industry leaders from across the travel retail and wider airport commercial revenues sector to Vietnam this November. Few will need prompting, for The Trinity Forum 2024 is shaping as a seminal occasion in this burgeoning country’s aviation and touristic development. ✈

Note: Registration will open soon for the Trinity Forum. You can visit the dedicated website for the event here.

Details of more sponsorship agreements and confirmed speakers will follow soon.

For sponsorship enquiries, please contact Irene Revilla at Irene@MoodieDavittReport.com

For speaking opportunities and organisational enquiries, please reach out to Vincci Chung at Vincci@MoodieDavittReport.com

PICTURE GALLERY

VIETNAM. Leading global premium spirits company Beam Suntory is again lending its strong support to The Trinity Forum as a Platinum Partner.

The 2024 edition of the world’s leading airport commercial revenues event takes place on 5-6 November in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, hosted by IPP Travel Retail.

The event is owned by The Moodie Davitt Report and co-organised with Airports Council International (ACI) World and ACI Asia-Pacific & Middle East.

Beam Suntory Brand Marketing Director Global Travel Retail Manuel Gonzalez said: “We are delighted to once again be supporting the Trinity Forum as a Platinum Sponsor.

“As a group, we are passionate advocates of collaboration and co-operation, and firmly believe that all travel retail stakeholders should work together to ensure the industry continues to evolve and prosper.

“As the world’s leading airport commercial revenues event, The Trinity Forum is an invaluable source of information and inspiration, never failing to deliver invaluable insight – and forthright debate. We are proud to sign up as a Platinum Partner, and look forward to an exciting two days in Ho Chi Minh City, exploring opportunity, challenge and change.”

VIETNAM. The Trinity Forum 2024, to be hosted by IPP Travel Retail in Ho Chi Minh City on 5-6 November is already taking shape with a powerful, forward-thinking presence guaranteed.

The programme will focus on opportunities and challenges in both established and emergent markets, the latter including Saudi Arabia (currently seeing profound structural change within its aviation and travel retail sectors), India and Vietnam.

Adani Airports Holding Chief Executive Officer Arun Bansal will be a big drawcard as he speaks about prospects in India and beyond as seen through the lens of this hugely ambitious latter-day giant of the airport world.

Riyadh Airports Company Chief Commercial Officer Abdulaziz Al Asaker will address the opportunities presented by the burgeoning Saudi airport commercial revenues landscape.

IPP Travel Retail CEO Phillip Nguyen will outline a myriad of positive developments in Vietnam within the wider travel and tourism ecosystem, with a special focus on the exciting new Long Thanh International Airport currently in the advanced stages of construction.

This year’s Trinity Forum will see an unprecedented involvement by airports and airport groups worldwide, underlining the increasingly vital role commercial and wider non-aeronautical revenues play in the aviation industry.

Registration will open soon for the event which is owned by The Moodie Davitt Report and organised in a joint venture with Airports Council International (ACI) World and ACI Asia-Pacific & Middle East.

The first sponsorship agreement will be announced later this week with several more to follow. ✈

• For sponsorship enquiries please contact Irene Revilla at Irene@MoodieDavittReport.com
• For speaking opportunities and organisational enquiries please contact Vincci Chung at Vincci@MoodieDavittReport.com

HONG KONG, CHINA/VIETNAM. The Trinity Forum 2024 will be hosted by IPP Travel Retail on 5-6 November in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. The announcement was made as the Trinity Forum came to a climax at a memorable Gala Dinner tonight at the Rosewood Hotel, Hong Kong.

IPP Group Vice President/IPP Travel Retail CEO Phillip Nguyen joined The Moodie Davitt Report Founder & Chairman Martin Moodie on stage for the big reveal of next year’s event – the latest edition of the world’s most influential airport commercial revenues conference.

Vietnam’s most populous city, Ho Chi Minh City is situated in the Southeast region of the country, lying next to the Saigon River. Served by Tan Son Nhat International Airport, the city is a major centre for finance, media, technology, education and transportation. It generates around a quarter of Vietnam’s total GDP, and is home to many multinational companies.

Ho Chi Minh City is known for its well-preserved French colonial architecture, vibrant street life, its varied cultural institutions and historic landmarks, walking streets, museums and galleries. It attracts more than eight million international visitors annually.

Host IPP Travel Retail leads the extensive Vietnam duty free, travel retail and airport advertising business in the Imex Pan Pacific Group (IPPG) portfolio.

IPPG is a diversified conglomerate that controls a majority of the Vietnamese market in distributing luxury and mid-tier fashion brands such as Salvatore Ferragamo, Burberry, Dolce & Gabbana, Rolex, Cartier, Nike, Gap, and many more.

Nguyen said in a statement: “We are truly honoured to stand before you at The Trinity Forum 2023 in Hong Kong, as the future Host of The Trinity Forum 2024. Vietnam, situated at the heart of Southeast Asia, is a rising star in the region and its biggest city – Ho Chi Minh City, the vibrant centre of Vietnam’s economy, trade and logistics.

“Our city thrives on diversity and embraces challenges as opportunities for growth. By bringing The Trinity Forum to Ho Chi Minh City, we aim to provide all delegates with an unforgettable destination experience. Your time here will be more than an event; it will be a journey of discovery and opportunity.” [We will bring you a full report on the announcement soon]. ✈

HONG KONG, CHINA/UAE. Dubai Airports CEO Paul Griffiths was tonight named as the recipient of The Trinity Award 2023 for Outstanding Contribution to the Airport Commercial Revenues Sector.

The award was revealed during a glittering Gala Dinner at the Rosewood Hotel, Hong Kong, which closed The Trinity Forum hosted (along with the Gala Dinner) by Hong Kong International Airport.

“This year’s Trinity Award recipient has been pivotal to the rise and rise of Dubai as an aviation force, as a tourism force, and as an economic force,” said The Moodie Davitt Report Founder & Chairman Martin Moodie.

“Paul Griffiths – along with the emirate’s far-sighted leadership – has driven Dubai International Airport’s (DXB) emergence as the world’s leading international airport in passenger terms for nine consecutive years and driven its positioning among the airport world’s elite in terms of quality of service, seamlessness of journey and consumer-first thinking.

“Paul is a champion and a facilitator of coordination between airport stakeholders and agencies and a proponent of digital innovation and solutions, including automated processes across the airport journey.

“He was instrumental in the successful completion and launch of DXB’s magnificent Terminal 3 in 2008; and the opening and readiness of Dubai’s second airport, Dubai World Central (DWC) in 2010, and DXB’s Concourse A in 2013 – the world’s first purpose-build A380 facility.”

Moodie continued: “Paul has led DXB’s spectacular recovery from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, with DXB’s most recent 2023 traffic forecast at 98% of 2019 levels – the result of excellent stakeholder management, business coordination, and service delivery priorities. He guided Dubai Airports through the worst crisis in modern aviation history, helping DXB to become among the first international airports to welcome back travellers and return to 100% capacity.

“Importantly from a Trinity perspective, during the pandemic Paul supported business continuity programmes at DXB and DWC, including being the first airport to announce unconditional support for all aviation and commercial partners at the beginning of the crisis. This ensured business continuity and the successful recommencement of 100% of all concessions when travel resumed.”

Calling Griffiths to stage, Moodie said: “Ladies and gentlemen, please join me in applauding a passionate champion of airport commercial partnerships, of consumer needs and desires, and of making the aviation, travel and travel retail world a better place.”

Griffiths said he was proud and humbled to receive the award. He praised The Trinity Forum as “the United Nations of our industry” and called on travel retail sector stakeholders to unite in order to maximise business potential and serve industry guests better to ensure a bright future for all stakeholders and travelling consumers.

“Through so much difficulty during COVID-19 what the world needs now is peace and it needs unity,” he said. “And it certainly needs us all to work together as one cohesive force for good. That’s good for the industry and it’s good for the traveller – the customer, as I always say – and it’s certainly good for the whole world.

“This is a great industry, with some fantastic people in it and I’m extremely proud to receive this award and somewhat humbled and unexpected by it.

“Thank you, Martin. Thank you, Dermot. And thank you everyone else for contributing so much to this great industry, which is a force for social change. It’s a force for good in the world. And let’s make sure that we just continue that mantra for eternity. Let’s make sure that this industry continues to do the good it’s done for so many years, for as long as it can possibly can.”