Sarah Branquinho has been unanimously re-elected as President of the European Travel Retail Confederation (ETRC) at the Annual General Meeting at the end of June.
In an official statement, Branquinho said: “I am honored to be re-elected to serve another year as President of ETRC. Brexit presents a huge opportunity for the industry and with Brexit negotiations now in full swing, will occupy center stage. There are, how-ever, many other important issues on the industry agenda including product labeling, transport security, restrictions on sales of tobacco and alcohol, and I look forward to continuing to strengthen the voice of duty free and travel retail in Europe.”
Over the last 12 months ETRC has already begun a comprehensive lobbying program across Europe and the UK, calling for an immediate return to duty and tax free sales once the UK leaves the EU.
From both an EU and UK perspective, the immediate return of duty and tax free sales post-Brexit presents huge potential benefits for transport and tourism industries. It would significantly improve connectivity by bolstering the revenues of airports, airlines, ports and ferry operators at a time when there is uncertainty about future rules on the free movement of people and goods.
Sarah Branquinho continued: “… A lot of work needs to be done at a technical and political level to make this a reality and we urgently need the full support of the entire industry.
“With over 150 million air passengers and over 40 million passengers by sea and Eurotunnel, an immediate return to duty and tax free sales will be transformational for the industry in Europe.
“Rest assured that ETRC is doing all it can to ensure a positive outcome.”
