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The European Travel Retail Council (ETRC) Board unanimously re-elected Frank O’Connell for a third term as President Photo by Hui Min Neo |
EUROPE. At its Annual General Meeting in Paris on 28 June the European Travel Retail Council (ETRC) Board unanimously re-elected Frank O’Connell for a third term as President.
Proposing O’Connell for re-election, Vice-President Marketing Jacques Parson thanked the Aer Rianta Retail executive for his continued dedication to the industry and to the ETRC and the development of the Duty Free World Council in particular.
Responding to his re-election, O’Connell thanked the Board for their support during what had been a difficult year for him, both in his business and personal lives [he lost his wife Carmel after a long illness – Ed].
The Board approved a proposal to hold an ETRC Business Forum in 2007, to address the challenges posed by the enlargement of the European Union. It will also consider how the industry can improve the performance of the European travel retail trade where sales are not keeping pace with the growth in passenger traffic, as reflected by the ETRC Index. The event is planned for Amsterdam on 27/28 March 2007.
The Board was briefed on recent activities to expand ETRC membership. It is anticipated that positive responses will be forthcoming in the near future, particularly from some of the new EU member states.
The Board also reviewed the latest developments on a number of the regulatory issues that the ETRC is addressing, including the Commission’s proposals to update the allowances for travellers entering the EU from third countries.
MORE STORIES ON THE ETRC
ETRC voices deep concerns about proposed changes to travellers’ allowances – 05/04/06
ETRC lifts the lid on European Union enlargement – 03/03/06
European Commission announces changes to travellers’ allowances from non-EU countries; perfume, tobacco and beer key categories affected – 27/02/06
Spanish crackdown on inflight tobacco sales adds to category dilemma – 25/02/06
