It is the end of an era at ASUTIL — the South American Duty-Free Association (ASUTIL) – with the announcement this week that Jose Luis Donagaray is stepping down from his role as Secretary General after more than 20 years in October.
Donagaray will be succeeded by another familiar personality working in support of South America’s duty free and travel retail business– Carlos Loaiza Keel has been named Executive Secretary, and will assume his new position in October.
Donagaray – dedicated, affable, hard-working and always accessible to those of us in the media who needed assistance or information – was praised by ASUTIL’s Board of Directors for his “unwavering service.”
In the official announcement, the Board said: “José Luis has played a fundamental role in the success and sustained growth of ASUTIL during his tenure. His visionary leadership, tireless dedication, and unwavering commitment to the organization’s mission have been exemplary and have left a legacy that will guide us in future challenges and opportunities.”
Donagaray led the Association through some of its most formative and memorable endeavors, and always maintained the very special spirit in which the group had been created.
Carlos Loaiza Keel – who has been instrumental in the development of Uruguyan border duty free association CEFSU (the Uruguayan Chamber of Entrepreneurs of Free Shops) since its establishment in 2010, has worked closely with ASUTIL over the years. As General Secretary at CEFSU he has developed a productive relationship with authorities from Uruguay and Brazil as well as with the different companies involved in the sector.
We at Travel Markets Insider join with the ASUTIL Board in thanking Jose Luis Donagaray for his exemplary leadership and wish him a well-deserved retirement.
“His legacy will endure in ASUTIL and continue to inspire us in our commitment to being the association that achieves the highest degree of excellence, influence, and international representation for all companies and institutions within the Travel Retail market,” concluded the statement from the Board.
