The Travel Markets Insider newsletter is attached to this post as a PDF file. To open the PDF file, please click on this link.
DFA continues to open new airport venues across Brazil, the most recent being a 2,400 sq. foot duty free store in the departures area at Manaus International Airport, its second store of three planned at that location. The company says it will eventually have 18 travel retail stores across Brazil. Story on page 1.
Congratulations to Erik Juul-Mortensen on being unanimously elected for another one-year term as President of Tax Free World Association. Erik has been president of the Association since 1999.
In more People News, Colton Payne has been named the new customer marketing manager for Brown-Forman Global Travel Retail, taking over from Jeannine Wise, who moved to the Brown-Forman Herradura and el Jimador Tequila team. See page 1 for details.
BY THE NUMBERS. U.S. airports are the most connected in the world, according to the 2016 edition of the OAG Megahub Index, which reports that nine of the Top 10 Megahubs are located in the U.S., one more than in 2015. See page 2 for a full accounting of the top hubs.
On the seas, Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) estimates that 25.3 million passengers will take a cruise in 2017, a strong surge from 15.8 million just 10 years prior (2007). Other highlights from CLIA’s 2017 State of the Cruise Industry Outlook can be found on page 2.
Government and tourism officials in the Bahamas are celebrating the news that the $3.5 billion Baha Mar Resort that was stalled last year by bankruptcy has finally been sold and can proceed with its development. Nearly two years after if was initially expected to open, the project has been acquired by Hong Kong-based conglomerate Chow Tai Fook Enterprises Limited, or CTFE, which says it will begin a phased opening of the mega-resort in April. Full story on page 3.
Rumors? Is Mondelez going back to its Kraft roots? Bloomberg News and Ad Age reported last week that food company Kraft Heinz Co. is rumored to be taking over the confectionery company that once belonged to its Kraft side of the business. Shares of Mondelez International spiked as much as 12% last Wednesday after a report surfaced. See Page 3.
DANZKA Vodka goes Blue Chip in Times Square, NYC. The launch of DANZKA Vodka in the United States received a prominent boost this month, when the brand sponsored the annual charity holiday benefit for the prestigious Financial Women’s Association (FWA) in New York City on Dec. 5. Details on page 4.
Services. Springs Creative Products Group LLC, a global leader in innovations in textiles and printing, has launched a new business unit, Springs Creative Imaging Services, that is experienced producing display visuals for the travel retail/luxury goods industries. The new company was formed when Springs Creative Products Group acquired Florida-based Tanis Imaging Services, whose owner, Scott Tanis, has been creating TR-related materials since the early 90’s. See page 3 for more information.
Meetings.
Registration is now open for the 2017 IAADFS Duty Free Show of the Americas, taking place at the Marriott World Center in Orlando, Florida on March 26-29, 2017. Click here for more information.
