U.S., March 31 -- Over 320,000 local jobs across the Asia Pacific region and a $36 billion industry are at risk of being overlooked by politicians as they devise financial rescue measures to cope with the COVID-19 crisis.

The Asia Pacific Travel Retail Association (APTRA) is calling on governments in over 45 countries across the region to support 320,000 local and front-line employees in the region by including the duty free and travel retail industry in the same financial support packages as airlines, airports and maritime industries.

'The Economic Impact of Duty Free and Travel Retail in Asia Pacific' (October 2019), details a US$36bn industry providing 320,000 jobs, contributing almost US$15bn to GDP across Asia Pacific.

Airport Ret...