This award recognises the airport across Asia Pacific to best prioritise the need to support its retailers through the turbulence of 2020 and demonstrate a culture committed to travel retail.

The best supplier to the travel-retail sector of any size operating in Asia Pacific will be one that has provided the best quality of service, competitiveness and customer satisfaction throughout the turbulence of 2020.

For this year’s Duty Free Experience of the Year award, judges will look for creative thinking when it comes to marketing initiatives and customer engagement. At a time when physical interaction is challenged, the travel retail industry has had to think outside of the box to engage and excite the consumer. These can be airport, supplier or retailer led campaigns that span the physical and digital worlds – or both.

This award honours the exceptional achievement/s by a retailer operating at an airport in the Middle East against the backdrop of the unprecedented challenges of 2020 due to Covid-19.

This award honours the exceptional achievements by a retailer operating in the downtown channel anywhere in Asia Pacific against the backdrop of the unprecedented challenges of 2020 due to Covid-19.

This award honours the exceptional achievements in the online market by a travel retailer in Asia Pacific against the backdrop of the unprecedented challenges of 2020 due to Covid-19.

The Hero Wines & Spirits Product of the Year award celebrates the star liquor product in Asia Pacific travel retail in the past 12 months, whether that is a new launch or an SKU that has stood the test of time. Judges will be looking for performance highlights, star quality and brand visibility.

The Hero Confectionery & Fine Food Product of the Year award celebrates the star consumables product in Asia Pacific travel retail in the past 12 months, whether that is a new launch or an SKU that has stood the test of time. Judges will be looking for performance highlights, star quality and brand visibility.

For this award, judges will look for one outstanding initiative or campaign implemented in Asia Pacific, however small or localised, that has had a demonstrable positive impact to the environment and shown an impressive commitment to sustainability by the company, teams and/or individuals on a personal level, in the sector.

The Asia Pacific & Middle East Travel Retailer of the Year award recognises the company that has provided the best example to the industry in its efforts to adapt and mitigate the challenges of the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020 across these regions. Judges will consider factors including an adaptive retail strategy, customer service, CSR, and employee initiatives.

2020 may have seen worldwide travel come to a standstill, but many companies used that time to take stock and focus on development projects including store refurbishments and build outs, with many opening new stores – from fashion boutiques and speciality concepts to traditional core category stores and new concepts tailored to the evolving and specific needs of travellers during the pandemic.

This award honours the exceptional achievement/s by a retailer operating at an airport in Asia Pacific against the backdrop of the unprecedented challenges of 2020 due to Covid-19.

This award honours the exceptional achievements by a retailer operating in the cruise channel in the Asia Pacific against the backdrop of the unprecedented challenges of 2020 due to Covid-19.

This award honours the exceptional achievements by a retailer operating in the inflight channel in Asia Pacific against the backdrop of the unprecedented challenges of 2020 due to Covid-19.

The Hero Beauty Product of the Year award celebrates the star beauty product in Asia Pacific travel retail in the past 12 months, whether that is a new launch or an SKU that has stood the test of time. Judges will be looking for performance highlights, star quality and brand visibility.

The Hero Tobacco & NGP Product of the Year award celebrates the star tobacco or smokeless product in Asia Pacific travel retail in the past 12 months, whether that is a new launch or an SKU that has stood the test of time. Judges will be looking for performance highlights, star quality and brand visibility.

The Hero Fashion, Jewellery, Watches or Electronics/Gifting award celebrates the most outstanding product across these categories in Asia Pacific travel retail in the past 12 months, whether that is a new launch or an SKU that has stood the test of time. Judges will be looking for performance highlights, star quality and brand visibility.

For this award, companies operating in travel retail can nominate a team within their organisation for its outstanding achievements through the challenges of the past year, however small or localised. Judges will look for teams who have made a positive non-commercial impact, i.e. social or environmental.