The Asia Pacific Travel Retail Association (APTRA) has announced that Grant Fleming has stepped down as President as he prepares to depart travel retail.

Fleming, appointed APTRA President in 2019, is leaving his day job as Head of Strategic Development – Asia, Lagardère Travel Retail at the end of April to take up a new role outside the industry.

The APTRA Board have voted in industry veteran and King Power Group (Hong Kong) Chief Executive Sunil Tuli (right) as Fleming’s replacement.

Tuli returns to helm the association for a fourth time, following three consecutive spells as President from 2007-2013.

GALVANISING CROSS-INDUSTRY SUPPORT

“On behalf of the APTRA board, I’d like to wish Grant every success in his new venture and to thank him for his leadership since May 2019, especially during the unprecedented challenges of the last 3 months,” commented Tuli.

“Grant has spearheaded APTRA’s campaign across Asia Pacific, making a powerful case for the vital role travel retail plays in the wider economy in terms of employment and contribution to GDP.

“His drive has focused on gaining government commitment to include travel retail in financial support packages, engaging valuable news media across the region and galvanising greater involvement from APTRA members such as equipping them with the tools to target governments direct.”

Tuli adds that he will build on Fleming’s work and is calling on global travel retail to support the associations’ endeavours.

“There has never been a more critical time for all industry players to work together and, if you’re not involved in supporting our various associations, then please consider how you could help.

“APTRA is at its strongest member number since inception 15 years ago, meaning we have a tremendous power base to harness when our members join with APTRA to actively target their governments and political contacts, adding to the volume that travel retail must be included in financial support measures for the aviation industry.”

TRBusiness has reached out to Tuli for further comment.

In praising the many opportunities of being part of the industry, including with Lagardère Travel Retail, over the past 15 years, Fleming added: “Representing APTRA as President has been an enormous honour.  I’m pleased to pass the reigns to Sunil. Despite the current crisis, travel retail in Asia Pacific is, without question, the most dynamic region in this industry and I have every faith in its potential to recover and grow even stronger, sooner or later.

“In these tough times, I want to encourage all businesses in travel retail to be more actively involved in the campaign right now. Here in Asia and the Pacific the industry is stretched by the diversity of its players, broad geography and the wide spectrum of political stakeholders.

“I believe the unique, collective view and commitment of independent associations such as APTRA, and our sister associations around the world, acting for all aspects of the industry, are essential. Now is the time to support the industry; your individual actions and responses will be all the stronger for sharing expertise and working together.”