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Asia Pacific Travel Retail Association (APTRA) Conference, Bangalore, India, March 2026
How Travel Retail is Accelerating the Global Rise of Indian Brands Through Visibility, Storytelling, and Cross-Border Collaboration.
Congratulations to the Asia Pacific Travel Retail Association for hosting a wonderful conference in Bengaluru on Friday, 27 March 2026. Well done to Sunil Tuli, President of APTRA, and Anne Kavanagh, Executive Director of APTRA.
Dr R. Sri Ram, Founder and Managing Director of Bags of Ethics (part of the Supreme Creations), participated in a distinguished panel at the Asia Pacific Travel Retail Association (APTRA) India Conference 2026. The session, titled “The Global Rise of Indian Brands, National Pride, International Curiosity,” brought together leading voices from airport operations, brand innovation, and travel retail media.
A Defining Moment for India’s Travel Retail Sector
India’s travel retail landscape is entering a significant growth phase, powered by airport expansion, data-informed strategies, and enhanced industry collaboration.
Panel discussions highlighted how airports are now curated spaces where national identity, craftsmanship, and sustainability are displayed to an international audience, offering Indian brands an unparalleled platform to tell their stories.
Sunil Tuli, President of APTRA and Dr R. Sri Ram of UKICC
Photo credits: UK-India Creative Circle & DFNI Frontier
Anne Kavanagh, Executive Director of APTRA and Sunil Tuli, President of APTRA
Industry Leaders on the Panel
Travel Retail as a Global Showcase
Dr R. Sri Ram shared insights alongside industry leaders, including Samrath Bedi of Forest Essentials, Karishma Manga Bedi of IDAAYA Spirits, the DFNI editor, Kapila Ireland, distinguished partner of the UK-India Creative Circle (UKICC), Devayani Vijayan of Bangalore International Airport Ltd, and Payal Lal of GMR Duty Free.
The discussion emphasised how travel retail acts as a global showcase, allowing Indian brands like Bags of Ethics to reach a diverse, international consumer base, build credibility, and test global appeal. Similarly, international brands can strategically enter India’s fast-growing travel retail sector through these curated environments.
Fostering International Collaboration
Collaboration emerged as a key theme. As Indian brands gain traction worldwide, partnerships across creative industries, retail, and storytelling are increasingly vital.
Through Bags of Ethics, Dr Sri Ram continues to champion these connections, unlocking new pathways for sustainable design, trade, and cultural exchange between India and global markets.
Photo credits: UK-India Creative Circle & DFNI Frontier
Looking Ahead
The APTRA India Conference highlighted the growing opportunities travel retail presents for both Indian and international brands. As airport infrastructure modernises and consumer expectations evolve, travel retail is emerging as a powerful platform for increasing global visibility.
Dr R. Sri Ram emphasised the importance of strengthening industry relationships while continuing to develop sustainable, ethically designed brands that resonate with global audiences, citing initiatives such as Bags of Ethics.
For partnership enquiries or to connect with Bags of Ethics, contact: info@bagsofethics.com.
Read more about the event HERE.
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