The Travel Markets Insider newsletter is attached to this post as a PDF file. To open the PDF file, please click on this link.
With the Tax Free World Association World Exhibition in Cannes less than a month away, industry developments are in full swing.
WiT -the Women in Travel group — will hold its annual networking gathering in Cannes, complete with a fantastic raffle draw and silent auction. The goal this year is to raise enough funds to complete the building of a school complex in rural India for children with severe challenges that was begun last year. Tremendous progress was made over the past year directly as a result of industry donations, and we ask all of our readers who will attend Cannes to please be generous and donate goods and services for the auction and raffle. Details on how to donate can be found Inside Insider, pages 1 & 4.
Today’s issue of Travel Markets Insider touches on new airport retail operations, new company mergers, new business visions, and new acquisitions – both in the region and internationally — and even a new role for one of the world’s most famous airports —Dubai International. Would you believe film star? National Geographic Channels is currently on site in Dubai filming a 10-part documentary about the day-to-day working of the airport that will be broadcast to more than 440 million households in 171 countries when it airs in 2013. (See more details on page 4.)
HMSHost has been particularly busy, announcing the opening of Experience Center at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport in partnership with botanical beauty brand Aveda – the first such airport store in the continental US. HMSHost also celebrated the opening of a Chicago Cubs Bar and Grill at O’Hare airport this week. More on pages 2 & 3.
In the International Boardroom Dufry confirmed it is in advanced negotiations to acquire a majority share of the Folli Follie Group; and LS travel retail won regulatory approval to complete its acquisition of ADR Retail, and will operate 8 duty free/ duty paid stores in Rome’s airports. Pages 1 & 4.
In the region, a major new spirits distribution company has been created in the US Virgin Islands, page 3; Canadian border sales end the summer up strongly, page 2; and Bacardi reveals the details of its 8th annual Bacardi Bartender of the Year and Chef of the Year Cruise Competition, which is now underway, page 2.
US-based travel retail operator HK Global Trading announces an innovative, expanded new vision for the company, capitalizing on its expertise catering to the Mexican shoppers on the Southern border. The company is working with well-known industry veteran Jose Chao to develop this new vision. See the full story on page 4.
By the Numbers. IATA confirms that global air traffic demand is slowing, although results vary widely by market. Page 1.
