The Asia Pacific Travel Retail Association (APTRA) has published its latest Advocacy Report and Heat Map today (17 July) identifying the most important regulatory challenges with the greatest impact on the industry in the region.

This is the second quarterly report in a new service launched exclusively for members in April 2020.

While most coronavirus (Covid-19) government relief measures for the aviation industry are weighted towards airports and airlines, APTRA is focusing on achieving formal recognition of travel retail industry dynamics.

Sunil Tuli, President, APTRA explained: “APTRA is relentless in its mission to ensure our industry voice is properly considered in relief and stimulus measures and also in any proposed operational changes from government that could impact sales, such as carry-on luggage restrictions.”

He added: “Advocacy is a huge task in Asia Pacific. Without a regional body such as the EU in Europe, we have to target every government on an individual basis. We are grateful for the support of members who have already added their political influence and we encourage others to join forces with us.

“We’re all fighting the same battle and a unified industry voice is by far the single most impactful strategy for success — as demonstrated by ICAO giving its support for the reopening of retail in their guidelines published in June.”

SLOWDOWN IN POLICY DEVELOPMENT

Amid a strong government focus on managing the pandemic, policy development has been slower than reported in Q1.

Alongside its focus on Covid-19, APTRA is monitoring emerging policy in other areas of interest. These include Indonesia following the implementation of a single-use plastic ban in Bali in 2019. Jakarta has also imposed a city-wide ban on single-use plastic which was is to be in place by this month.

Over in Taiwan, the Health Ministry released its amendment to the Tobacco Hazards Prevention and Control Act for a 60-day public consultation. Proposals include enlarging graphic health warnings from 35 to 85%, alongside a tobacco flavour ban.

In Singapore, sugar regulation is moving from policy formulation to policy adoptions across packaged drinks with high sugar content. Staying in Singapore, tobacco plain packaging regulations were implemented on 1 July 2020.

Looking ahead to the second half of 2020, policy discussion continue on track and trace in tobacco, although the World Health Organisation has postponed its 2020 Meeting of the Parties to discuss its illicit trade tobacco protocol until November 2021.

APTRA says that the advocacy report on policy issues and threats across the region is a valuable tool many companies are unable to facilitate themselves. C

Christina Oliver, Executive Director, APTRA concluded. “ If you are not yet a member of APTRA, now more than ever is the time to be part of a proactive collective industry body.”