Nigel Keal will continue to serve as ETRC President following a members’ vote.

Members of the European Travel Retail Confederation (ETRC) have voted unanimously to re-elect  Nigel Keal as President of the association on a one-year term.

Keal’s latest tenure was decided at the association’s Annual General Meeting held in Brussels last week.

“It is an honour to serve as President of the ETRC where we endeavour to continuously enhance member services,” said Keal.

“It is also my ambition that ETRC will continue acting as a platform to contribute to the ongoing dialogue about the future of travel retail towards building a stronger travel retail ecosystem, including the upcoming study on business models due to be launched in September.

“I am thankful to the members of ETRC for their trust and would particularly like to acknowledge the work and support of the Managing and Supervisory Boards.”

The ETRC Managing Board comprises Pedro Castro, Vice-President External Affairs – Global Public Affairs Director, Avolta; Philippe Margueritte, Vice-President Brands – President, Tax Free World Association (TFWA); Piret Mürk-Dubout, Vice-President Maritime Affairs – Member of the Management Board at Tallink Grupp/VD Tallink Silja AB; Paul Neeson, Vice-President Aviation Affairs – Director Retail, ARI Ireland; and Nina Semprecht, Vice-President Communications and Public Affairs – Director Corporate Communications and External Affairs, Gebr. Heinemann.

The ETRC Managing Board (L-R): Pedro Castro, Vice-President External Affairs – Global Public Affairs Director, Avolta; Piret Mürk-Dubout, Vice-President Maritime Affairs – Member of the Management Board at Tallink Grupp/VD Tallink Silja AB; Nigel Keal, President, ETRC – Chair, UKTRF; Nina Semprecht, Vice-President Communications and Public Affairs – Director Corporate Communications and External Affairs, Gebr. Heinemann; Philippe Margueritte, Vice-President Brands – President, Tax Free World Association (TFWA); and Paul Neeson, Vice-President Aviation Affairs – Director Retail, ARI Ireland (not pictured).

During a cocktail reception on the sidelines of the AGM, ETRC launched a new study commissioned from global advisory firm interVISTAS titled the ‘Economic Impact of Duty Free and Travel Retail in Europe’.

The study, which pinpoints the role of DF&TR on the European travel and tourism industry and the European economy as a whole, identified several key findings.

European DF&TR sales have witnessed notable growth and recovery since the Covid-19 pandemic, registering €2.1 billion/$2.4 billion in 2023.

It is estimated that 74% of European duty free and travel retail sales occur in the aviation channel (mainly airports) versus 54% globally.

DF&TR activities in Europe are estimated to directly support 61,900 jobs, generating €7.7 billion in GDP and indirectly support 136,400 jobs in the region.

Keal added “As ETRC President, I am proud to present this important contribution establishing the economic impact associated with the duty free and travel retail market in Europe,” said  It is our hope that the findings will help policy makers and stakeholders have a greater understanding of the unique nature of our business and its innate value.”

A copy of the full report from InterVISTAS can be downloaded by clicking here.