ASUTIL discusses Nexus, future locations and the importance of preserving its identity
ASUTIL and m1nd-set consider international air traffic departures – Latin America versus global; the two have partnered to provide ASUTIL members with regular insights on traffic forecasts and shopper insights via a quarterly newsletter
Asociación Sudamericana de Tiendas Libres (ASUTIL) has partnered with leading travel retail research agency m1nd-set to provide ASUTIL members with regular insights on traffic forecasts and shopper insights via a quarterly newsletter. The new service, which draws on m1nd-set’s in-depth research, is based on interviews conducted across more than 20 airports in Latin America. The first edition focuses on an analysis of air traffic performance in the region for the full year of 2024, comparing traffic levels to pre-COVID in 2019, 2025 and 2030. The inaugural report also analyses shopper behavior among international Latin American travelers looking at all key behavioral trends, as well as the main footfall and conversion key performance indicators.
“These reports will deliver critical insights into international air traffic trends, travel retail performance, shopper profiles and behaviors, as well as barriers to conversion. Importantly, they also offer strategic, actionable recommendations to help boost engagement, conversion, and spend across duty free environments in the region,” says ASUTIL Secretary General Carlos Loaiza-Keel. “In today’s rapidly evolving market, it is vital for all stakeholders to stay closely attuned to changing shopper dynamics, and this collaboration with m1nd-set will be an indispensable resource for our members.”
According to the initial update, ASUTIL reports air traffic across Latin America and the Caribbean shows healthy growth trends for 2024 as well as in the medium-term, when compared to global air traffic trends. The association notes, “While global growth is set to accelerate between 2024 and 2030 with a projected 28% increase over this period, Latin America maintains steady but slightly lower growth at 22% over the same period. The cumulative growth from 2019 to 2030 however, is expected to be slightly higher in Latin America (39%) than the global average (38%).”
When speaking to Global Travel Retail Magazine about the impact of US President Trump’s trade war on currency in the Americas, Loaiza-Keel points out although the association can’t deny the impact of the new geopolitical scenario on the travel retail industry, ASUTIL remains optimistic based on the opinions of its well-informed sources and data-based partners.
“We have good reason to be confident that tourism and consumption by our passengers in the region will continue to grow in the coming years, and that existing opportunities such as Brazil’s domestic tourism, inbound and outbound travel in Argentina and the rebound of the Caribbean remain relevant. [The Latin American consumer] is one that demands greater sophistication and exclusivity, but also environmental and social awareness and, above all, experiences, but the players in the industry are ready for this challenge,” explains Loaiza-Keel.
An evening shot of The Plaza Mayor, also known as the Plaza de Armas, in Lima; it is the main public square of the historic city center
Latin American charm
The notion of building travel around personal preferences is becoming increasingly relevant around the world – and in Latin America. Loaiza-Keel says operators in the region have a lot of experience and capacity to satisfy this preference of potential consumers. Plus, the Latin American culture “and therefore the human capital of our countries” identifies with this approach. This is also part of the identity of ASUTIL and its conferences. He shares, “It is the magic that we experienced last year in Bogotá, and it is the core of the ‘nexus’ that we want to experience this year in Lima.”
ASUTIL Conference 2025: Nexus is taking place against the backdrop of the grand opening of Lima Airport’s new terminal. Since the association’s annual conference is a rotating one, the team believes the choice in location should be sensitive to the interests of the industry and those in attendance. The inauguration will also be reflected in the content of the program, where the airport authorities, Lima Airport Partners and Lagardère Travel Retail all play an important role. “We believe that this type of criteria should also guide us in the selection of future locations,” states Loaiza-Keel.
Carlos Loaiza-Keel, Secretary General, South America Duty Free Association
A return to the Caribbean
Although the Secretary General can’t confirm what conference locations ASUTIL is considering for the future, the association is looking to return to the Caribbean. “Our members have very robust operations there and it is a region that we see as dynamic and expanding for the various channels in the industry,” he says.
On what direction the association is heading in terms of balancing its sense of exclusivity and interest in growth, Loaiza-Keel says the team is convinced with the support of its Board of Directors, that ASUTIL must preserve its identity in order to guarantee the conference atmosphere that it offers. “To this end, size is one of the key factors and we believe it is worth preserving. Because at the end of the day, we believe that we can evolve and improve without compromising our identity,” comments Loaiza-Keel.
