The purpose of the association

Our purpose is to bring together companies in or supplying to Central and Eastern European countries, and regardless whether domiciled within or outside the region, that are involved in the duty-free and travel retail sector. This means that our members are involved in the manufacture, wholesale, or retail of goods for travelers between two or more countries, regardless of whether or not this trade is subject to taxes and/or duties.

We represent the interests of our members in relation to sales made to travelers between the Central and Eastern European countries and other countries, both within or outside the EU.

In doing so, we act both towards the general public as well as towards local and foreign authorities. We represent the industry in the Central and Eastern European region, and on industry boards and committees of relevant industry organizations with related objectives.

For the avoidance of doubt, we are limited to representing the interests of our members, which does not include promoting the profitability or coordinating the business activity of our members.

We are a non-profit organization and charge membership fees that are adequate to support our activities and ensure sufficient stability for the long-term operation of CEETRA.

The objectives of the association

• To increase the visibility of the duty-free and travel retail industry in the Central and Eastern European region by providing resources to represent the industry to key stakeholders and promote the interests of our members

• To strengthen the region’s representation in the European as well as the global duty-free and travel retail organizations

• To expand the network of our members by creating a communication hub for the industry in the Central and Eastern European region

• To provide a platform for broader industry initiatives that are difficult for individual companies to undertake, such as market research

• To offer regional brands a stage in the Central and Eastern European duty-free and travel retail market

• To coordinate the industry events in the Central and Eastern European region

The activities of the association 

The association’s activities to achieve its goals include:

• Continuously monitoring regulatory developments in the region, reacting quickly, and contacting relevant stakeholders where appropriate

• Actively participating in European and global duty-free and travel retail organizations to raise awareness of relevant CEETRA topics across regions

• Organizing Travel Retail Forums in the region to intensify and expand the exchange and network of members

• Collaborating with our research partner m1nd-set for region-specific data from the duty-free and travel retail sector to derive the optimal customer approach in Central and Eastern Europe

• Inviting regional brands to the Travel Retail Forums to present themselves to the Central and Eastern European duty-free and travel retail market and establish contacts

• Informing members via newsletters about relevant industry events and industry developments within the region