Anne Kavanagh will replace Christina Oliver as Executive Director of the Asia Pacific Travel Retail Association (APTRA).

The appointment, effective 18 April, follows Oliver’s relocation to the US with her family after serving in the post for more than three years.

Kavanagh will continue to lead her travel retail consultancy practice Kavanagh Communications alongside her new position at APTRA, where she will report to the President and Board.

She will operate in a role that has been remote-based since June 2020, with travel to Asia Pacific as required.

It incorporates all aspects of the association’s B2B media requirements.

Sharolyn Paul, APTRA Administrative Officer since February 2017 and an important part of the operation, will continue to offer her support to the Executive Director and association.

GRATITUDE EXTENDED

Sunil Tuli, President of APTRA, commented: “We are delighted to welcome Anne to the position of Executive Director of APTRA. Having proactively led our communications for over two years she has valuable insight into the association’s mission and objectives.

“She brings a wealth of strategic expertise in travel retail, gained over 25 years as one of the industry’s most respected marketing communication consultants, partnering on a global basis with airports, brands, retailers, food & beverage operators, architects and the broader travel retail community as well as having represented leading retailers in the European domestic market.

“We are confident she will add valuable perspective and impact in leading APTRA as we move towards the post-covid era of travel retail.

Anne Kavanagh said: “I’m very excited and honoured to take on the role of Executive Director of APTRA. I am extremely passionate about travel retail and its importance to the wider travel and tourism ecosystem.

“Despite the current challenges, I believe this is a pivotal moment in the industry’s evolution, especially considering the omni-channel opportunity and the emergence of new categories that are fast-gaining traction with shoppers.”

Christina Oliver leaves APTRA having developed the association’s activities across several areas, including introducing new reporting on advocacy and a fresh website and central resource library that has delivered added-value for APTRA’s members.

“We would like to thank Christina for leading APTRA through a particularly challenging time, the contribution she has made to increasing value for our members and for her commitment to the industry especially in creating closer connections with other trade associations in the wider travel sector,” added Tuli. “We wish her and her family every success and happiness in their new chapter in the USA and hope to see her again in travel retail in the Americas.”