Page 12 - TMI Special 10-11 2020 FlipBookv2

INSIDER

elections on Nov. 3, which will determine the relief bill currently being assembled. open before the end of the year. All of our
policy direction and support surrounding The request included critical assistance in land border stores are experiencing revenue
COVID-19 challenges. the amount of US$ 13.5 billion for airports loss of over 90% and some at 100%. It is
obligating them to pass through a portion a dire situation here with respect to the
Rest of Americas of this amount to its concessionaires, and border being closed.”
In Central America, the borders be- was signed by representatives of airports Among its advocacy efforts, the FDFA
tween Mexico and the U.S. are still closed and a broad group of airport concession- achieved rent relief for stores with fed-
for non-essential travel, although air traffic aires: ACI North America (ACI-NA), the eral landlords and developed a Duty Free
between Mexico and the U.S. is growing. American Association of Airport Execu- Economic Package that highlights both im-
Tourist destinations in Mexico show good tives (AAAE), the Airport Restaurant and mediate and long term measures to ensure
recovery thanks to U.S. tourists. Retail Association (ARRA), the Airport the viability of land border duty free stores
In the Caribbean, air traffic in Puerto Minority Advisory Council (AMAC), the through and beyond the border closure.
Rico and the Dominican Republic has American Car Rental Association (ACRA), The Association is also lobbying for
picked up nicely and shows some good rate the International Association of Airport an immediate Duty Free Interest-Free Loan
of recovery. U.S. tourists are banned from Duty Free Shops (IAADFS) and the Na- Program, extension of the Wage Subsidy
travel to the Bahamas and other islands tional Parking Association (NPA). Program, and extension of the Rent Relief
have imposed strict restrictions for visitors. Program.
Ports in the Caribbean will re-open once FDFA/Canada Looking to get back to business, the
the cruise business resumes operation but The Canada /U.S. Border has been FDFA is also asking for the creation of
not before November, at the earliest. closed to all but essential workers since a Canadian Duty Free Zone; Duty Free
In the cruise business, MSC, Costa March 21 and closure has been extended Export Designation; return of the Visitor
and some other smaller European based to at least October 21 (and likely to extend Rebate Program; and calls for reduced
cruise lines have resumed operation. U.S. well beyond), reported Barbara Barrett, bureaucracy and red tape.
based cruise lines are still under CDC’s ‘no executive director of the Frontier Duty Free Its advocacy efforts include meetings
sail’ order which has been extended to Oct. Association. with all levels of government and grass-
31, so it is unlikely they will start opera- More than 50% of Canada’s land roots efforts with all store owners meeting
tions before November 2020. border stores are completely closed; the with their Members of Parliament.
The IAADFS’ advocacy efforts have others are open only to essential workers Barrett says the FDFA is also asking
been primarily focused on trying to obtain and have very little traffic. As of the begin- for government help with inventory issues,
financial relief for the Duty Free and ning of October, parts of Canada (Quebec with some products instore about to expire.
Travel Retail industry due to the impacts specifically) have gone back into lockdown “Inventory has been sitting in the
from the pandemic, especially to grow the because of spiking COVID numbers. closed stores and is coming up to expira-
chance to obtain needed federal assistance. The situation for the land border stores tion or best by date. We are talking to the
Coordinating their efforts with other airport is “dire” and is now about survival, said government so the products do not go into
concessionaire organizations, the IAADFS Barrett. a dumpster and we can find ways to either
sent a letter on August 7, 2020 to Senate “We are now at six months of the sell it, or at the very least, donate it.”
and House leaders requesting the inclusion U.S./ Canadian border being closed with no
of important federal assistance as part of indication from our sources that it will be

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