INTERNATIONAL. The Duty Free World Council (DFWC) is calling for industry input to a global Recovery Protocol for travel retail worldwide, as businesses prepare to reopen once the COVID-19 crisis eases.
In a statement, the DFWC said: “The aviation and maritime sectors have recognised the need for an agreed global approach to reopening for business. The same will be true if the duty and tax free industry is to reopen for business with the trust of governments, landlords and customers.
“The Duty Free World Council has started work on developing a framework protocol, to which it invites businesses to contribute their thoughts in order to develop as quickly as possible a global consensus.”
It noted that some companies have already started work on recovery plans individually, but said, “with several operators often working in the same location, it makes sense to develop and submit an overarching global Recovery Protocol, or guiding principles, for re-opening”.
These will be developed alongside the operational recovery plans of global associations that represent airports and the cruise line industries. The DFWC is already working in an umbrella task force with airport and cruise associations and others in the travel and tourism sector, under the auspices of the World Travel and Tourism Council.
The recovery framework protocol will be available on the DFWC website www.dfworldcouncil.com by 8 May, for companies to download and complete with their own contributions, and return to the DFWC. Contributions will be used to build the final protocol.
The DFWC Academy will build on the final protocol by developing a training programme for staff returning to work, which can be used on a stand-alone basis, or personalised by individual companies.
The Recovery Protocol is supported by industry associations including ASUTIL, APTRA, ETRC, FDFA, IAADFS, MEADFA and TFWA.
