Trinity Forum 2026 Highlights Shift Toward Experience-Led Airport Commerce

The Trinity Forum 2026 was held in Doha, Qatar, on 5–6 February, bringing together senior leaders from the global airport commercial revenue and travel retail sectors at a pivotal moment for the industry. As passenger volumes continue to recover, discussions focused on how airports, brands, and retailers must adapt to changing traveller expectations and a more competitive commercial environment.

The forum was organised by The Moodie Davitt Report in partnership with Airports Council International, with expanded participation this year from ACI Europe. The event was hosted by Qatar Airways, Hamad International Airport and Qatar Duty Free, and took place at The St. Regis Doha.

A clear consensus emerged among industry executives that airport commercial models are moving beyond traditional retail formats. Greater emphasis is now being placed on experience, engagement, and closer collaboration between airports, brand owners, and retail operators. Delegates highlighted that future growth will depend on creating memorable, high-quality experiences that align with the traveller journey rather than relying solely on transactional sales.

One of the key moments of the forum was the presentation of the inaugural Trinity Prize. The award was jointly presented to L’Oréal Travel Retail, Avolta, and Ezeiza International Airport for the “YSL Beauty Light Club” activation. The project was recognised as a standout example of how cross-stakeholder collaboration can deliver immersive, high-impact brand experiences within the airport environment.

The organisers also extended congratulations to L’Oréal for its leadership role in shaping the future of beauty within travel retail. With strong engagement across two days of sessions, Trinity Forum 2026 reinforced its position as one of the most influential gatherings in global airport commercial revenues.