ASIA PACIFIC. The Asia Pacific Travel Retail Association (APTRA) has named Anne Kavanagh as its new Executive Director, reporting to President Sunil Tuli and the APTRA Board, effective from 18 April.
Kavanagh, who is well known and respected as an industry marketing and communications consultant, replaces Christina Oliver who has relocated to the USA with her family after serving over three years in the role. During her time with APTRA, Oliver introduced new reporting on the association’s advocacy initiatives, as well as launching a new website and central resource library to add value to APTRA members.
The role will continue to be remotely based (as it has been since June 2020) with travel to Asia Pacific as required. It also incorporates all aspects of the B2B media communications requirements of the association.
Kavanagh will be supported by APTRA Administrative Officer Sharolyn Paul, who has been a key figure in the association since February 2017.
Sunil Tuli commented: “We are delighted to welcome Anne to the position of Executive Director of APTRA. Having proactively led our communications for over two years she has valuable insight into the association’s mission and objectives. She brings a wealth of strategic expertise in travel retail, gained over 25 years as one of the industry’s most respected marketing communications consultants, partnering on a global basis with airports, brands, retailers, food & beverage operators, architects and the broader travel retail community as well as having represented leading retailers in the European domestic market.
“We are confident that Anne will add valuable perspective and impact in leading APTRA as we move towards the post-covid era of travel retail.”
He added: “We would like to thank Christina for leading APTRA through a particularly challenging time, the contribution she has made to increasing value for our members and for her commitment to the industry especially in creating closer connections with other trade associations in the wider travel sector. We wish her and her family every success and happiness in their new chapter in the USA and hope to see her again in travel retail in the Americas.”
Anne Kavanagh added: “I’m very excited and honoured to take on the role of Executive Director of APTRA. I am extremely passionate about travel retail and its importance to the wider travel and tourism ecosystem.
“Despite the current challenges, I believe this is a pivotal moment in the industry’s evolution, especially considering the omnichannel opportunity and the emergence of new categories that are fast-gaining traction with shoppers.”
Kavanagh will continue to lead her travel retail consultancy practice alongside her work in the new role.
