PR83523

SINGAPORE, April 1, 2020 /PRNewswire=KYODO JBN/ --

Over 320,000 local jobs across the Asia Pacific region and a $36bn industry are

at risk of being overlooked by politicians as they devise financial rescue

measures to cope with the COVID-19 crisis.

The Asia Pacific Travel Retail Association (APTRA) is calling on governments in

over 45 countries across the region to support 320,000 local and front-line

employees in the region by including the duty free and travel retail industry

in the same financial support packages as airlines, airports and maritime

industries.

'The Economic Impact of Duty Free and Travel Retail in Asia Pacific' (October

2019), details a US$36bn industry providing 320,000 jobs, contributing almost

US$15bn to GDP across Asia Pacific.

Airport Retail and commercial services, including food and beverage, constitute

a crucial business sector providing up to 60% vital commercial income for

airport owners, outpacing aeronautical revenue streams. It is the most

significant direct contributor to the investment in Asia-Pacific's aviation

infrastructure and ongoing development of world-class national gateways, the

region's hubs to the world.

Grant Fleming, President of APTRA, comments. "The dynamics of duty free and

travel retailing are intrinsically linked to the aviation and maritime

industries and its viability is entirely dependent on the return in passenger

traffic. This means 320,000 jobs are at risk that could be safeguarded if

governments extend financial support packages to the industry.

"The travel ecosystem is multifaceted and, beyond airports, the duty free and

travel retail industry integrates deeply with the region's vital tourism market

– directly with operators such as airport retailers, airlines, cruise-lines and

downtown shopping malls and also indirectly with everything from hotels to

travel agents and tour guides. We are calling on over 45 governments across

the region to recognize the unique economic contribution of the entire Travel

Retail industry and to prioritize support packages to our channel and the many

that are, and will be, affected financially by COVID-19."

https://www.aptra.asia/

Notes: The Asia Pacific Travel Retail Association (APTRA) is a not for profit

membership organisation whose mission is to strengthen, nurture and protect the

duty free and travel retail industry In over 45 countries in APAC, across

airports, maritime, retailers, food & beverage operators and consumer brands.

PDF -

https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1139893/ASIA_PACIFIC_TRAVELS_RETAIL_ASSOCIATION.pdf

Source - ASIA PACIFIC TRAVEL RETAIL ASSOCIATION (APTRA)