ASIA PACIFIC. The Asia Pacific Travel Retail Association (APTRA) has appointed Kavanagh Communications to lead the association’s messaging to both media and members.
Kavanagh Communications, which currently represents brands, retailers, airports and architects across travel retail, will both manage media relations and support the launch of new initiatives. This will include the introduction of a new website and knowledge bank research library, as well as putting an increased focus on specialist seminars and roundtable sessions for members.
APTRA President Grant Fleming said: “We are delighted to welcome Anne [Kavanagh] and her team as partners of APTRA. Their global experience across the broad spectrum of travel retail is highly respected and will be a strong asset for us as we embark on the new decade with an ambitious plan for APTRA.”
Appleton Communications had previously managed press relations for the association and Fleming added: “We offer our sincere thanks to Kate Teagle from Appleton Communications for her PR support, ideas and commitment, serving APTRA for over ten years.”
The association said it will continue its advocacy efforts in the new decade supported by its public affairs partner Hume Brophy on key regulatory issues, such as the recent threat to the Indian duty free allowance.
“In 2019, the World Economic Forum reported that Asian economies in 2020 will become larger than the rest of the world combined, for the first time since the 19th century – the last golden era for the region. To put this in perspective, Asia accounted for just over a third of world output in 2000,” Fleming said.
“This is also a region with a fast-paced changing regulatory landscape across a large, dynamic geography. Hence it’s important to review our internal resource and processes to support our members achieve their potential in the new decade.”
