News

The ASUTIL Conference returned to Latin America this week, with 276 delegates convening in Buenos Aires for the TFWA-managed event. The conference was the first to be staged by ASUTIL since the 2017 edition in Rio de Janeiro, and marked a welcome return for an event that brings together brands, retailers, airports, airlines, cruise and ferry companies active in Latin America and the Caribbean.

Highlights of a busy conference programme included a keynote address from Dufry CEO Xavier Rossinyol, who addressed the importance of partnership to ensure a sustainable and equitable business model in travel retail. Delegates also heard a detailed update on the crucial border duty free market in Latin America, along with revealing and actionable data on the Latin American travelling consumer.

Leading airport authorities São Paulo Guarulhos and Aeropuertos Argentina 2000 contributed to a panel dedicated to the travel outlook in Latin America, while delegates also heard an update from the Duty Free World Council on the industry’s campaign against illicit trade.

Argentinian hospitality and the country’s wonderful food & wines were to the fore at the Gala Dinner, hosted by leading retailer Interbaires/Duty Free Shop Argentina, and the lunches sponsored by Rio de la Plata and JTI. A large number of delegates stayed an extra day to enjoy a trip to the beautiful Uruguayan city of Colonia, courtesy of ASUTIL and ferry company Colonia Express.

ASUTIL would like to thank all the sponsors of the event, including B+D, Campari, Diageo, Essence Corp, Havanna, Hershey, JTI, Lindt, Mondelēz, Skross and Travel Blue, alongside Interbaires, Rio de la Plata and Colonia Express.

“It has been an absolute pleasure to welcome so many old friends and industry colleagues to Buenos Aires this week for the long-awaited return of the ASUTIL Conference. From the presentations we heard during the event, and the conversations I’ve had with business partners, we can be confident in the future for duty free & travel retail in this region. This event plays an important role in sharing experience and information between industry stakeholders, and I’m grateful to all those who attended along with our friends at TFWA for their assistance in organising the conference. We’ll see you again next year in a new location: watch this space!” Gustavo Fagundes, ASUTIL President

“Being here this week in the wonderful city of Buenos Aires has reminded us all how much we missed the ASUTIL Conference, and the valuable role it plays in bringing our industry together in Latin America. We at TFWA have been proud to play our part in the staging of the event, and feedback suggests that our guests enjoyed both the Conference and the lively social programme. We trust the return of the conference will help accelerate the growth of our industry in this important region, and hope to see many of our Latin American colleagues in Cannes for TFWA World Exhibition & Conference later this year.” Erik Juul-Mortensen, TFWA President