TFWA and ITRC sign accord

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The International Travel Retail Confederation (ITRC) and Tax Free World Association (TFWA) confirmed they have entered into a formal Letter of Understanding detailing closer cooperation. The signing took place at a public ceremony in London last week.

The document sets out the respective responsibilities of the two organisations and highlights the areas in which they can co-operate to promote and advance the travel-retail industry.

TFWA president Erik Juul-Mortensen commented: "We both have roles to play in this industry. [TFWA] represents the suppliers and has its mission to support the trade, and the ITRC is playing a very important role in the political scene of this industry. Working together makes an awful lot of sense."

ITRC chairman Alain Falque called on the industry to combine forces to address major problems such as the WHO challenge to tobacco sales, the enlargement of the EU and post-abolition malaise in Europe. "How can we continue to sell without having the support of the full range of products?  If you cut one product, you cut sales of others too," he said.

"There is a major job ahead of everybody to communicate and get the industry up and running," added Juul-Mortensen. "There is still a lack of a sense of urgency."