TheMoodieReport.com

TheMoodieReport.com: "INDIA. Alpha Asia is spearheading The India Duty Free Workshop, to be held from 21 to 23 February 2006 at the Le Meridien Hotel, Cochin, Kerala, India.

As well as key suppliers and retailers, Alpha aims to attract high-ranking Indian government officials, the Ministers of Tourism of India and other Saarc (South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation) countries, and Tourist Board of India and Sri Lanka officials.

Confirmed attendees include duty free operators in India who compete with Alpha's Cochin shop, such as ITDC and Flemingo; as well as retailers Hi Design and Atlas. The event has been endorsed by newly formed body Asia Pacific Travel Retail Association under President Rakhita Jayawardena.

Alpha Asia Managing Director Paul Topping will moderate the entire workshop. Alpha hopes to attract many low-cost airlines serving India, such as Deccan Air, Sri Lankan Air, Jet and Sahara, for an interactive and educational session. Research companies such as AC Nielsen have expressed interest in moderating a workshop session.

Some 15 to 20 key suppliers from around the world have already pledged assistance and participation, including Diageo, Kraft, JTI, Pernod Ricard, Cadbury, Paton's Macadamias, Lindt, Mars, Heineken, Grant's, Brown-Forman, Chanel, Cosmpolitan, Est�e Lauder, Bacardi.

For information, contact Chethika Hapugalle, Regional Communication & Marketing Manager, Alpha Retail Sri Lanka Office, 8-4/1, York Arcade Building, Leyden Bastian Road, Colombo-01, Sri Lanka, tel: +94 11 2431581 or 24380129 (sales); fax: +94 11 2431580. "