Sepang – Industry players from across the travel retail sector converged today for the Concessionaires Conference and Awards Night 2025, an annual platform that recognises concessionaires’ contributions to the airport experience, and sets the commercial direction for the year ahead including upcoming initiatives for Visit Malaysia Year (VMY) 2026.
Anchored by the theme, ‘Elevating Performance, Driving Growth’, the conference brought together industry players to exchange forward looking insights, strengthen strategic partnerships and shape the next chapter of commercial growth for Malaysia and the wider region. It also highlighted global travel retail trends and strategies that will drive greater innovation, collaboration and operational excellence across the airport ecosystem.
The conference opened with a keynote address by Dato’ Mohd Izani Ghani, Managing Director of Malaysia Airports, who emphasised the central role of retail and service partners in shaping the airport experience, “As the region’s aviation landscape expands and Malaysia prepares for VMY 2026, our priority is to strengthen collaboration and elevate performance together, ensuring our airports remain competitive, memorable and truly reflective of Malaysia’s identity.”
Meanwhile, Hani Ezra Hussin, Senior General Manager of Commercial Services, reflected on the collective achievements under the Commercial Reset strategy and the refreshed retail mix across the network, “Our reset is not a final destination but a continuous journey.
We will keep building momentum by embracing new technologies, refreshing our brand mix and introducing innovative offerings that ensure our airports remain relevant and competitive globally.
Looking ahead, VMY 2026 will also present a significant opportunity for concessionaires to build on our shared momentum and contribute to a more vibrant commercial landscape.”
Industry perspectives were further enriched by Dr. Peter Mohn, founder and CEO of m1ndset, who spoke on How the New Generation of Travelers are Shaping the Megatrends of Travel Retail. His session highlighted shifting consumer expectations and the growing importance of data transparency, technology adoption and behavioural insights, offering a clear roadmap for the future of airport retail.
The evening culminated in the Concessionaires Awards Night, themed "Mythical Malaysia: Where Legends Rise and Glory Reign." Inspired by Malaysian folklore, the gala featured contemporary design interpretation of local legends and celebrated outstanding achievements in travel retail.
The awards celebrated concessionaires who demonstrated exceptional creativity, innovation, service, and operational performance in enhancing the travel retail experience. A total of 24 awards were presented, including the prestigious Best Overall Retailer and new categories such as the Entrepreneurial Awards and Compliance Excellence.
For more information about Malaysia Airports and its initiatives, please visit www.malaysiaairports.com.my for more information or follow us on Instagram and Facebook at @shopmyairports.
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