Travel Markets Insider Newsletter Vol. 20 No. 23

The Travel Markets Insider newsletter is attached to this post as a PDF file. To open the PDF file, please click on this link.

 

WOMEN IN TRAVEL RETAIL ORLANDO NETWORKING EVENT

 

Many, many thanks to all the women who attended the 2019 WiTR meeting in Orlando during the Summit of the Americas. It was one of the best networking events of the past several years! And a very special thank you to many generous donations for the raffle and Silent Auction, and especially to our sponsors Aer Rianta North America, Edrington Americas Travel Retail and WEBB Banks.  We have raised more than $2,000 to date with more monies due in. 

 

The monies raised from this year’s event will be split between the regional charity of Hand in Hand for Haiti and WiTR’s global charity for 2019, Friends International.

 

Full story to follow in a future issue. 

 

In today’s lead story, TMI takes a look at the 2019 Summit of the Americas, where numbers were down slightly but the new venue delivered a surprisingly upbeat event. See page 1.

 

In putting together our special deluxe magazine issue for the 2019 Summit of the AmericasTravel Markets Insider was privileged to speak with some of the leading airport and cruise ship retailers & operators in the Americas. To download a full copy of the Travel Markets Insider 2019 Orlando magazine, please click here.

 

Among the highlights of this magazine, we speak with Nadine Heubel, VP/CEO The Americas for Heinemann, who recently took TMI on a visit to Heinemann’s cruise flagship store onboard the Carnival Liberty in Port Canaveral, Florida. Incorporating a great Sense of Place, the Heinemann stores celebrates a vibrant Caribbean vibe.

See full story here.

 

Here we highlight our One on One conversation with Roberto Graziani, Executive Vice Chairman of the recently rebranded 3Sixty, Duty Free & More, who discussed how his company, the former DFASS, is changing its corporate culture to compete in today’s world.

 

In our One on One conversation with Rene Riedi, Division CEO Central and South America for Dufry Group, Riedi presents a very candid overview on Managing the LATAM airport duty free business in challenging times. 

 

And on the Supply Side, when Brown Forman opened its $45 million, 70,000-square-foot distillery on Whiskey Row in downtown Louisville for its founding brand Old Forester in June, it was a return home to its beginnings for the American Whiskey giant. Located on Main Street, where the company was originally headquartered for a period ending in 1922, the distillery both looks back at the history of America’s first bottled bourbon and serves as a declaration of intent for the future of the brand, Old Forester President Campbell Brown tells TMI’Michael PasternakSee story here. 

 

NEWS

 

DFA and Ukraine International Airlines (UIA) last week announced a strategic collaboration to launch an inflight duty free retail program. This is the travel retailer’s first inflight program, and represents both a new channel and a new geographic area. Page 1.

 

TFWA has announced the line-up of speakers for TFWA Asia Pacific Conference in May. Page 1.

 

Starboard Cruise Services has appointed Brenda Yester Baty to the new role of Chief Commercial Officer (CCO). Page 2.

 

In related news, Starboard was the big winner of the annual 2019 DFNI-Frontier Americas Awards, coming home with three awards including Americas Travel Retailer of the Year, Cruise or Ferry Retailer of the Year and New Shop Opening of the Year for the Celebrity Shops on Celebrity Edge. The full list of winners can be found on page 4. .

PEOPLE NEWS

 

Nathan Moris, Vice President, General Manager, Travel Retail Americas, will assume a new position within The Estée Lauder Companies later this month as Vice President, General Manager, Estée Lauder, AERIN and Origins for Europe, the Middle East and Africa. More details on page 2.

 

CARIBBEAN:

 

In big news for Grand Bahama Island, the government of the Bahamas signed a letter of intent on March 22 with Royal Caribbean International and the ITM Group for the purchase of the Grand Lucayan resort and redevelopment of the Freeport Harbour. Page 3.

SUPPLY SIDE FEATURE

 

Cabeau reveals revolutionary Track and Shield to keep track of luggage and more. Page 3.