The Duty Free World Council (DFWC) will celebrate its 10th anniversary in December.
In 2013 the industry’s regional associations, APTRA, ASUTIL, ETRC, FDFA, IAADFS, MEADFA plus TFWA came together to form the Council to act as the global voice for the duty and tax-free Industry.
The primary aim was to provide support and a global voice for the industry’s regional associations and brands and highlight the crucial role the duty and tax-free industry plays in the broader travel system, such as generating revenue for the aviation, travel & tourism, and maritime sectors and providing employment. The DFWC was also tasked with developing standards throughout the industry through educational activities.
During COVID the Council played a leading role in generating support from regulators and minimizing the impact of restrictions on the industry. In conjunction with Airports Council International and the World Travel and Tourism Council, DFWC underlined the critical role of duty and tax-free revenues to the broader aviation and travel industries and played a role in a massive campaign to procure crisis funding for the travel industry and its retail sector.
The DFWC also developed Retail Operations Recovery Protocols and a training program, and commissioned Economic Impact Studies on the importance of the industry in Europe, Asia Pacific,and the Americas.
DFWC is currently focusing on the Trusted, Transparent, Secure Campaign, launched with TFWA.
DFWCA appoints Harding+’s Sue Gosling as new Chair
The DFWC Academy, a not-for-profit organization created to raise industry standards through the provision of bespoke training solutions, elected Sue Gosling, Chief Brand and Culture Officer at Harding+ as the DFWC Academy Advisory Group’s (AAG) new Chair.
She takes up the role from Aude Bourdier (Brown-Forman), who has taken on a senior role outside the duty free sector and is stepping down after three years leading the AAG.
Over 4,000 students have enrolled in the Academy’s courses since the post COVID relaunch in 2022.
