BELGIUM. Nigel Keal will continue to lead the European Travel Retail Confederation (ETRC) for another year, following his unanimous re-election as President during the organisation’s Annual General Meeting in Brussels on Thursday (26 June).
Keal said, “It is an honour to serve as President of ETRC where we endeavour to continuously enhance member services.
“It is also my ambition that ETRC will continue acting as a platform to contribute to the ongoing dialogue about the future of travel retail towards building a stronger travel retail ecosystem, including the upcoming study on business models due to be launched in September.
“I am thankful to the members of ETRC for their trust and would particularly like to acknowledge the work and support of the Managing and Supervisory Boards.”
Keal, a highly respected travel retail veteran, is joined on the Managing Board by Pedro Castro, Vice President External Affairs and Avolta Global Public Affairs Director; Philippe Margueritte, Vice President Brands and Tax Free World Association (TFWA) President; Piret Mürk-Dubout, Vice President Maritime Affairs and Tallink Grupp/VD Tallink Silja AB Member of the Management Board; Paul Neeson, Vice President Aviation Affairs and ARI Ireland Director Retail; and Nina Semprecht, Vice President Communications and Public Affairs and Gebr. Heinemann Director Corporate Communications and External Affairs.
On the sidelines of the AGM, ETRC also presented the results of a new study by global advisory firm InterVISTAS on the economic impact of duty free and travel retail in Europe.
The study explores the contributions of the duty-free and travel retail sector to Europe’s travel and tourism industry, as well as its broader impact on the regional economy.
Key highlights of the research include:
- European duty-free and travel retail sales have registered notable growth and recovery since the COVID-19 pandemic, totalling €21 billion in 2023.
- It is estimated that 74% of European duty-free and travel retail sales are generated through the aviation channel (predominantly airports), compared to 54% globally.
- Duty-free and travel retail sales activities in Europe are estimated to directly support 61,900 jobs which generate €7.7 billion in GDP. When considering indirect and induced effects on employment, the industry is estimated to support a total of 136,400 jobs in Europe.
Keal concluded, “As ETRC President, I am proud to present this important contribution establishing the economic impact associated with the duty-free and travel retail market in Europe. It is our hope that the findings will help policy-makers and stakeholders have a greater understanding of the unique nature of our business and its innate value.” ✈
