The council held a meeting in Orlando to discuss the Economic Impact Study on the Americas region which will encompass North and Latin America and cover the main sectors - airports, border shops and cruise ships and the final report is expected to be published before the end of this year.

The council also reported progress on the work of the DFWC Academy where an industry-wide consultation on draft professional standards for frontline retail staff is drawing to a close.

Discussions on the provision of a Professional Development Programme for management levels within the industry continue with a number of academic institutes.  The council agreed that the academy would proceed with the development of some initial online learning modules. 

The agreed DFWC code of conduct for the sale of alcohol products in duty free and travel retail has been distributed across all regions and a register of the companies who have signed the code is being drawn up.