Trade welcomes show cancellation

Print Article E-Mail Article

****DFNI eXTRA**** As concern over the spread of the SARS virus mounts, Tax Free World Association has cancelled the TFWA Asia Pacific exhibition and conference

The event was scheduled to take place in Singapore on May 20-23, but the SARS outbreak had caused many exhibitors to pull out and made buyers wary of travelling to an infected region.

In a statement, TFWA said the decision to cancel was made as a response to concerns over the effects of the Iraq war, the SARS outbreak, and the resulting decline in global travel on the travel-retail industry. After canvassing opinion from exhibitors and buyers, the association concluded that most delegates preferred not to travel to Singapore.

TFWA president Erik Juul-Mortensen said: "Although at its meeting on April 11 the TFWA Management Committee decided to maintain the event, the developments during the last week or so have clearly shown that this is no longer an option. The decision to cancel TFWA Asia Pacific this year is regretted, but is believed to be in the best interests of our members, our exhibitors and the industry as a whole.

"Those who we would normally expect to welcome as visitors to the exhibition-the buying groups from airports, airlines and retailers-as well as the brands themselves are facing enormous challenges at the moment, in some cases fighting for their very survival. We understand the position of those companies that do not feel able to attend at this time."

Juul-Mortensen stressed the resilience of the travel-retail industry and stated TFWA's determination to return to Singapore in May 2004.

TRW understands the number of exhibitor cancellations had increased over the past week as reports of the virus' spread in south-east Asia caused alarm. Among the big-name suppliers understood to have pulled out before TFWA's decision were Parfums Christian Dior, Heineken, Hermes, Puig, and Orlane, while operators that had stated their intention not to attend included Japan's leading retailer JATCo and many other operators in the country. 

The decision to cancel was welcomed by many in the industry. "I fully support the decision, although we had already decided not to attend," said Heineken manager export duty-free Ronald Drieduite. Another supplier commented: "It makes sense, as I don't think many people were planning to go."

Parfums Christian Dior travel-retail director Andre de Bausset told TRW: "We welcome the decision as a responsible one. As much as we wish to remain bullish on the situation in Asia/Pacific, we must acknowledge the impact of the SARS epidemic; mainly the psychological impact, but also of course the impact on health. The situation in the region is worrying, and some clients had expressed their concern and preference for the show not to be held. The show was not essential to our operations, it was a limited risk for health, and the industry's gut feeling and common sense was pushing towards a cancellation. Hence our approval of this cancellation, and of the way TFWA managed the situation."

Shiseido Europe travel-retail director Ariel Gentzbourger added: "I feel that it is a very sound decision on behalf of TFWA. TFWA being an association, I am pleased that they did not only look at the financial burden of cancelling the show." Gentzbourger added that Shiseido had cancelled its attendance three weeks ago following a travel ban imposed by the supplier's head office in Japan.

Buyers also greeted the decision with relief. One Japanese retailer told TRW: "Along with several other operators, we had already decided not to attend before TFWA made its decision. No-one could ensure the safety of delegates and in that respect the decision is the right one. How could we justify attending if human lives are at stake?"

Nuance-Watson (HK) managing director Alessandra Piovesana said: "It is a wise move. We are sure that in the forthcoming Cannes event, we will be able to reconnect soundly with the business community."

Cathay Pacific inflight sales and amenities manager Anna Cheung told TRW: "It's good news in the light of the current SARS situation, and for buyers, airport retailers and airlines. We're far too busy with our own business at this time."

Tom Thomas of Gateway Duty Free in Australia said: "They had no choice, as people wouldn't go there anyway. TFWA was stuck between a rock and a hard place. I was too, as I felt I should go but I didn't want to. They should hold it later in the year."