Cover This annual event gave out 24 awards this year recognising creativity and innovation in concessionaires’ contributions to an exceptional airport experience
This annual event gave out 24 awards this year recognising creativity and innovation in concessionaires’ contributions to an exceptional airport experience
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This awards platform gave out 24 awards recognising creativity and innovation in concessionaires’ contributions to an exceptional airport experience
With Visit Malaysia Year 2026 just a month away, Malaysia Airports’ Concessionaires Conference and Awards Night 2025 kicked off at an opportune time this week in Sepang, themed ‘Elevating Performance, Driving Growth’.
The Concessionaires Conference and Awards Night is an annual platform that recognises concessionaires’ contributions to the airport experience, bringing together industry players to exchange insights, strengthen collaborations and create greater shared value and commercial growth in the travel retail in Malaysia and the wider region.
The conference opened with a keynote address by Malaysia Airports managing director Dato’ Mohd Izani Ghani. “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,” he said in his speech.
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Above A keynote address by Malaysia Airports managing director Dato’ Mohd Izani Ghani
A keynote address by Malaysia Airports managing director Dato’ Mohd Izani Ghani
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Malaysia Airports senior general manager of commercial services Hani Ezra Hussin also addressed the crowd, reflecting on achievements of the airport operator’s commercial reset strategy. A highlight of the event was a session by Dr Peter Mohn, founder and CEO of m1ndset. His session touched on the growing importance of data transparency, technology adoption and behavioural insights in the future of airport retail.
The conference concluded with a lavish gala awards night inspired by Malaysian folklore and whimsically themed ‘Mythical Malaysia: Where Legends Rise and Glory Reign’.
A total of 24 awards were given out at this gala dinner event, recognising various concessionaires who demonstrated exceptional creativity, innovation, service and operational performance in enhancing the travel retail experience.
From the prestigious Best Overall Retailer to new categories such as the Entrepreneurial Awards and Compliance Excellence, the evening was a true showcase of excellence in travel retail as Malaysia gears up for Visit Malaysia Year 2026.
Above Malaysia Airports senior general manager of commercial services Hani Ezra Hussin also addressed the crowd
Malaysia Airports senior general manager of commercial services Hani Ezra Hussin also addressed the crowd
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For the awards, KLIA’s Bacha Coffee took home Best Product Category Retail Essentials, Gifts & Others, while Din Tai Fung bagged Best Product Category Food & Beverage.
Outside of Selangor, several noteworthy contenders received recognition, including Penang International Airport’s Ban Heang for Best Product Category—Retail Essentials Gifts & Others, as well as Kota Kinabalu Airport’s Nooodles, which took home the Entrepreneurial Award for Food & Beverage.
“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,” Hani says. “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.”
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Images: Malaysia Airports
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Previously contributing to Esquire Malaysia, Expat Lifestyle and Newsweek, Tania oversees digital stories across Tatler’s key content pillars, also leading the Front & Female platform exploring issues and topics affecting women today.
