In the fourth installment of our Skype video series, ‘Adapt and Survive’, TRBusiness speaks to ETRC Secretary General, Julie Lassaigne who provides an update on the letter the ETRC penned to the European Commission on 17 March, whilst revealing that the association’s other crucial lobbying efforts cannot afford to be put on hold during the Covid-19 crisis.

 

She spoke of the ETRC’s urgent appeal to the European Commission, insisting that the industry is in desperate need of financial aid from governments around the world if even ‘the most successful’ suppliers and operators are to survive this period.

 

While the ETRC joins other global trade associations in the fight against Covid-19 and is working hard to mitigate the devastating impacts on the travel industry, it cannot ignore its other obligations, such as gaining clarity on the outcome of Brexit for businesses it represents.

 

As reported, the UK’s HM Treasury and HM Revenue and Customs launched an open consultation seeking evidence and views on the potential return of tax and duty free sales between the UK and EU, earlier this month.

 

 

The highly-respected ETRC official – appointed in February last year – also told TRBusiness that this is a bittersweet moment for her, as she just celebrated 10 years of working in the travel retail industry (February).

 

Despite the gravity of the situation we all face, Lassaigne was characteristically optimistic about the future of the duty free and travel retail industry, insisting that she has witnessed great comebacks in previous years.

 

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