The 2024 ASUTIL Conference held last week in Bogotá, Colombia at the Hilton Bogotá Corferias perfectly reflected the city where it was held: magical, relevant, and filled with Latin flair.
A maximum capacity 307 people attended the TFWA-managed event. Travel Markets Insider had a front row seat for the week and presents highlights of the sold-out conference here.
The Welcome Session and Cocktail, sponsored by Attenza Duty Free, set an upbeat, positive tone for the event. The show was kicked off with a magician, who amazed the crowd.
Then ASUTIL held a tribute to previous ASUTIL Secretary General José Luis Donagaray, who retired last year after 23 years. ASUTIL President Enrique Urioste, ASUTIL Secretary General Carlos Loaiza-Keel and board members Marcelo Montico and Gustavo Fagundes presented Donagaray with a Tag Heuer watch and a commemorative plate to celebrate his time at ASUTIL.
The next morning ASUTIL Secretary General Loaiza-Keel and President Urioste opened the conference with a positive view of the industry in the region.
Loaiza-Keel highlighted how the industry is tackling illicit trade and custom allowances. He then showed the growing passenger numbers in Latin America and the Caribbean with figures from m1nd-set, led by top three airports: Cancun (10.9 million international departures in 2024), Tocumen Airport (9.8 million), and Mexico City Airport (8.6 million).
The beauty category in Latin America is fueling this growth in the region, said Urioste.
The category is expected to drive growth by +10% CAGR between 2023 – 2028 across all sub-categories.
The confectionery category in the region is expected to grow by a CAGR of 5.1%.
Duty Free World Council President Sarah Branquinho then provided an overview of efforts the association is taking to safeguard the industry against illicit trade. She says the World Health Organization continues to attempt to eliminate tobacco sales in duty free stores around the world.
Branquinho was followed by renowned author, composer and orchestra conductor Iñigo Pirfano, who delivered a music-themed keynote address.
Pirfano emphasized how important it was to create a collaborative environment, and compared working in a duty free store to playing in a symphony orchestra.
Two senior industry executives then spoke about digital strategy and consumer loyalty.
Lifemiles Chief Commercial Officer Valeria Yglesias talked about how Avianca’s loyalty program has embraced new technologies and strategies to build stronger relationships.
Avolta Chief Commercial Officer Vijay Talwar gave a presentation highlighting the leading travel retailer’s ABC of Airports, Brands, and Consumers. He then explained how Avolta is leveraging its DEF: Digital, Entertainment and Flexible to take the travel experience to the next level.
Closing out the morning session, three beauty executives – Shiseido General Manager of Travel Retail Americas Pablo Cobian, Coty Vice President of Travel Retail Diego Artola and Essence Corp Travel Retail Director Yennifer Abreu – addressed the category’s future in regional travel retail. m1nd-set’s Peter Mohn moderated the panel.
A theme throughout the panel and throughout the week was how to attract Gen Z shoppers.
These shoppers are looking for interactive retail experiences, with diversity and inclusion paramount for these young shoppers, says Abreu.
Artola brought up the success of Kylie Cosmetics as a brand that is using social media to help drive sales.
Cobian said that today’s consumer sees beauty and wellness as intertwined, and that it is essential that brands stay authentic.
Networking time followed these sessions, and day one ended with a spectacular, colorful Gala Dinner, courtesy of Avolta, which took place at the Gaira Café Cumbia House by Carlos Vives, a restaurant famed for its authentically Colombian ambiance and known as the ‘temple of music’ by local aficionados.
After a full morning of networking time, the second day of the conference began with a business and economic outlook by economist Carlos Melconian, who is a staple of ASUTIL and has been presenting at the conference for years.
The Moodie Davitt Report President Dermot Davitt then led a panel on exploring the future of travel retail in the Andean Region featuring Lagardère Travel Retail Peru CEO Cyril Letocart; Avolta Senior Vice President and Head of Cruise Division Gian Botteri; and Motta Internacional Vice President Ignacio Lasa.
m1nd-set’s Dr. Peter Mohn followed with the latest data and perspectives on present-day trends in Latin America and the Caribbean.
Along with Gen Z, sustainability was another key topic at the conference.
Camillo Rossotto, Chief Public Affairs and ESG Officer, Avolta, moderated a panel on sustainability in the region featuring Tamara Spada, Global Key Account Manager of Nestlé International Travel Retail, and Alejandro Sanabria Amortegui, Sustainability Manager at Bogotá El Dorado Airport.
The ASUTIL Conference ended with a keynote by Dr. Roberto Canessa, the celebrated author, cardiologist, and survivor of the 1972 Andes plane crash. Canessa was joined on stage by his wife Laura Surraco, who was his girlfriend at the time of the crash, and Jose Luis Donagaray.
It was a moving and memorable presentation to end the ASUTIL Conference.
“June 18th marked a significant milestone in ASUTIL’s history as we kicked off the Conference for the very first time in Bogotá. After months of dedicated planning with TFWA’s support, we extend our sincere gratitude to all our sponsors, delegates, and team members. Your support and participation were crucial in making this conference possible and successful. We hope all attendees experienced the unique and magical ASUTIL atmosphere, reflecting the vibrant spirit of Latin American and Caribbean businesses. We look forward to seeing you all again next year,” said Loaiza-Keel.
Delegates who stayed for an extra day were treated to an expedition to Zipaquirá to explore Colombia’s famous Salt Cathedral, located 180 meters underground and entirely carved in salt.
