The Tax Free World Association exhibition ended on Friday last week

Visitor numbers to this year's Tax Free World Association exhibition in Cannes increased by 6% on 2016, organisers have said.

A total of 6,812 visitors attended the Global Travel Retail event, which ended last week. The number of companies exhibiting was also up, by 2%, with 3,031 represented.

The annual trade fair is the biggest in the GTR calendar and attracts retailers, landlords and buyers from around the world. Speakers at this year's opening ceremony included former Ireland president Mary Robinson and former UN General Secretary Ban Ki-moon.

In his opening speech, TFWA president Erik Juul-Mortensen said the industry must work together to balance margins or risk "major global brands" leaving the sector.

Sales in the GTR channel rebounded last year after falling in 2015 for the first time in six years. However, retailers remain under pressure from the increasing cost of concessions, while brand owners contend with a fall in average consumer spend in airport retail.

To read just-drinks' full coverage of TFWA 2017, click here