The formation of the European Travel Retail Council (ETRC) is an important step in achieving a strong, united voice in Europe…
The formation of the European Travel Retail Council (ETRC) is an important step in achieving a strong, united voice in Europe. With membership from Tax Free World Association and the European national travel retail and duty free organisations, the ETRC now represents in excess of 500 companies across all trade sectors, including all major brand owners and retail operators.
Apart from strengthening the capability of the organisation to represent its members’ agreed common interests, both within the EU and across Europe, the ETRC’s mission is to promote the economic value of the industry. A further key focus for the ETRC will be to extend its representative base, to include participation, initially, from all EU Member States and ultimately, to include membership from all corners of Europe. It is also planned that the ETRC will become a resource centre for the industry in Europe, providing a focal point for vital research projects.
Commenting on the creation of the ETRC, the newly elected President, Frank O’Connell said, For the first time Travel Retail in Europe has a single voice which can speak for all sectors of our industry and represent the interests of over 500 enterprises – this is a tremendous step forward and all of us are very much indebted to Alain Falque, former chairman of ITRC, who successfully steered the process through to completion.
The ETRC will represent the Europe region on the Duty Free World Council.
The elected officers to the Council’s Management Board are Frank O’Connell as President, with Donatienne de Fontaines-Guillaume, representing TFWA, Fulvio Fassone, President of the Italian association, ATRI, and Jacques Parson, Chairman of the Benelux Travel Retail Association as the three Vice-Presidents, and Barry Goddard of the UK Travel Retail Forum as ETRC Company Secretary.
Representation from all national associations will continue through membership of the ETRC Supervisory Board.
The new organisation will also be actively seeking associate membership from other trade associations linked to its business.
The ETRC now represents the European travel retail and duty free industry in Europe, replacing the former International Travel Retail Confederation.
Theodore is the Co-Founder and Managing Editor of TravelDailyNews Media Network; his responsibilities include business development and planning for TravelDailyNews long-term opportunities.
