United States

New research ranks U.S. nearly last in competition for global travelers 

The U.S. Travel Association on Jan. 11 released a study that found the United States ranks 17th out of 18 top travel markets in terms of global competitiveness, according to Euromonitor International. The travel association says that decades of underinvestment and a lack of focus and coordination from federal policymakers caused the U.S. to fall behind, while other countries actively apply […]

Vantage to acquire more ownership interest in LaGuardia Gateway Partners, Terminal B

Vantage Airport Group (Vantage) has reached agreement to acquire an additional ownership interest in LaGuardia Gateway Partners (LGP) from Skanska, which is divesting its 32% ownership of LGP. Vantage — a leading global airport investment, development, and management company — will acquire approximately 16% of Skanska’s interest for US$57 million. The transaction is conditional on […]

Hawaii reopens to tourism using new pre-travel testing protocols

Tourism dependent Hawaii reopened to trans-pacific visitors on October 15, allowing travelers who pre-test for COVID-19 to bypass the mandatory 14-day quarantine that has been in effect since March 26. The pre-travel testing for trans-pacific travel program states that those who do not want to be subject to the state’s 14-day mandatory travelers quarantine must take […]

Hudson Group reports record 2019 revenues but warns of COVID-19 impact in ‘20

In a year highlighted by major agreements with food and beverage concessions operator OHM Concession Group and Brookstone stores in U.S. airports, North American travel retailer Hudson Group turned in record full year revenues of $1.95 billion, a 1.5% year-over-year increase, in 2019. Despite the strong showing in 2019, Hudson Group CEO Roger Fordyce voiced […]

Nearly 2 million airline seats affected by new Europe to U.S. travel ban, says OAG

Travel data provider OAG estimates that the Europe to United States travel ban announced by U.S. President Donald Trump on Wednesday night, not surprisingly, will have far-reaching implications for the global aviation industry. OAG says that the ban will affect 10.9% of all international flights and 16.9% of all scheduled international seats between the United […]

Estée Lauder Travel Retail opens new consumer-driven retail concept at Dallas Fort Worth, Terminal D

The Estée Lauder Companies, in partnership with 3Sixty Retail, opened an innovative retail concept last week in Dallas Fort Worth International Airport – Terminal D Departures near gate 25. The new concept features offerings by four of its brands that are particularly popular with Millennial and Gen Z consumers, BECCA, Too Faced, Bobbi Brown, and Glam […]

Dan Cappell joins California’s Ontario International Airport as CCO

California-based Ontario International Airport Authority has named international aviation consultant Dan Cappell – a highly respected and familiar figure in the travel retail industry, as chief commercial officer, effective Dec. 9. A UK-native, Cappell began his career nearly 30 years ago with Nestle International Travel Retail, and subsequently moved to Abu Dhabi Airports Company, as […]

Plaza Premium Group invests US$55 Million to open 15 new locations – Debuts in North America with openings in DFW, DEN and Toronto

Hong Kong-based airport hospitality services pioneer Plaza Premium Group is expanding its global footprint and enhancing products across 11 international airports –including in Dallas Fort Worth International Airport and Denver International Airport in the U.S. and Toronto Pearson International Airport in Canada. Other new or enhanced locations cover Beijing Daxing International Airport; Dubai International Airport; […]

InnoTRI to distribute Distell GTR brands in USA and parts of Caribbean, effective Jan. 1, 2020

Distell Global Travel Retail has announced a new distribution deal with Miami-based InnoTRI Limited (Innovation Travel Retail International) to support Distell’s development in the Americas region. InnoTRI will be Distell Global Travel Retail’s exclusive distributor for the USA travel retail channel and parts of the Caribbean beginning January 1, 2020. The main focus of the […]

Stellar Partners brings fashion touch to shopping at Philadelphia Int’l Airport

Philadelphia Airport also refreshed its retail offerings this week, with the opening of four fashion retail brands from Stellar Partners with MarketPlace Development:  Chico’s, White House Black Market, and Soma together in one place; plus trending activewear brand, Marika. A Stellar Books shop was also opened. The multi-brand concept store Chico’s, White House Black Market, and Soma is a […]