APTRA TARGETS GOVERNMENTS ACROSS ASIA PACIFIC
FOR SUPPORTIVE MEASURES CRITICAL TO DUTY FREE & TRAVEL RETAIL INDUSTRY

Singapore 26th March 2020 APTRA is seeking support across the entire Asia Pacific Region
urging over 45 governments and hundreds of government administrators to recognize the
unique economic contribution of the entire Travel Retail industry and to prioritize support
packages to our channel and the many that are, and will be, affected financially by COVID-19.

APTRA is writing to government policy-makers responsible for determining Covid-19 fiscal relief
and funding across ministerial offices including aviation, maritime, retail, F&B and tourism
industries. APTRA is calling on its 100+ members to continue the call for action via local
outreach within countries to reinforce the initial message to the greater network of stakeholders
and decision-makers.

The broad-reaching appeal is supported by a report recently commissioned by APTRA and
DFWC, ‘The Economic Impact of Duty Free & Travel Retail in Asia Pacific’, considered a key
tool exemplifying clearly the Travel Retail industry’s vital input to the aviation, maritime and
tourism sectors, and the economies and employment across the region. Published in October
2019, the report cited that, in Asia Pacific in 2017, the industry provided over 300,000 jobs and
made a contribution of almost US$15bn to GDP.

APTRA is working closely with DFWC and, with the assistance of Hume Brophy, it is creating a
plan, aligned to the global objective, to monitor government packages and share knowledge as
best practice to try to appeal to other governments.

Grant Fleming, President of APTRA, comments. “APTRA is sending a clear and simple
message that financial support for the entire Duty Free and Travel Retail industry is required.
All governments and agencies in charge need to understand the importance of our industry for
their economies and should correctly apportion and prioritize financial efforts quickly. APTRA’s
mission is to strengthen, nurture and protect our industry. There has been no greater need for a
call to action than now. As an association we believe we can voice the needs of industry via a
unique stage for the entire industry and not merely seen as a group of businesses. This
approach can charge the appeal.

“APTRA is at its strongest member number since its inception 15 years ago, and we know that
the support of our members across the region can add to the volume to broadcast the
awareness to governments at this critical time when there is such a need for help. Our
objective is simple: we are seeking commitment from governments to apply financial support to
the duty free and travel retail industry by including us within the designated community of
essential services deemed vital in supporting the aviation, maritime and tourism industries that
are so critical to the region. Let’s be in no doubt of the imperatives in this drive for action. Our
industry dynamics are vastly different to domestic market retail because we are dependent on
the return in passenger traffic. This campaign is fundamentally about securing financial support
for industry survival and we are encouraging our association members in different countries to
get behind it and use their existing connections to deliver the message to their governments.”

Media enquiries:
Anne Kavanagh, Kavanagh Communications [email protected]

About APTRA
The Asia Pacific Travel Retail Association (APTRA) is a membership organisation whose
vision is to represent all members of the association and to strengthen, nurture & protect
the duty free and travel retail industry in the Asia Pacific region. APTRA’s membership
comprises airports, retailers and brands, which is unique and adds richness to the
association’ s work. APTRA’s territory spans over 45 countries in Asia Pacific.

APTRA strengthens the knowledge base of the industry by supporting members through
meaningful research, knowledge share, networking opportunities and advocating the
industry when facing regulatory challenges. Commissioning relevant market research is
one of the quality outputs of APTRA, the results of which are disseminated exclusively to
members through private seminars, networking workshops and the Association website.

APTRA is on the alert constantly for legislative and regulatory challenges that may impact
the duty free and travel retail industry. Working with members, fellow trade associations
and related agencies, APTRA engages with governments and policy-makers to facilitate a
deeper understanding of the industry’s pivotal role in local communities, employment, travel
infrastructure and the economies of the region. www.aptra.asia

Forfurtherinformation please contact:
Christina Oliver, Executive Director, APTRA
Tel: +65 91697741
Email: [email protected]