Travel Markets Insider Newsletter Vol. 20 No. 27

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

 

We start this week’s letter with the very sad news that the travel retail industry has lost another one of its pioneering founders.
 
Israel Marmol, once one of the largest and most important fragrance distributors in the Americas before he and his children David, Rebeca and Alicia founded their company producing licensed character fragrances, passed away on May 17 after being ill for several months. 
 
Israel, the ultimate gentleman who never lost his love for his native Cuba, will also be remembered for the wonderful Noche Latina parties that highlighted so many years of the Orlando and Cannes duty free shows. May he Rest in Peace. 
 
More details on page 1.
AIRPORT CONCESSIONAIRES & SERVICES
 
Dufry posted a positive start in 2019 despite the challenging environment still facing business in South America. See story on page 1.
A new partnership between travel food operator SSP and Duty Free Americas (DFA)called SSP DFA Restaurantes Brasil Ltda will be opening seven high-quality restaurants and food and beverage outlets at Salvador Bahia Airport in Brazil. Full details on page 2.
CRUISE NEWS
Starboard Cruise Services and Invicta Watches celebrated the opening of a new boutique-at-sea for the popular watch brand onboard Carnival Horizon. Page 3.
ASIA. Even as the Americas continue to dominate the cruise industry, Asia’s cruise passenger source market hit a new high in 2018 with 4.24 million people taking an ocean cruise in 2018, reports Cruise Lines International Association. See report highlights beginning on page 3.
ASSOCIATION NEWS
Pre-registration for the 2019 TFWA World Exhibition & Conference and the TFWA Innovation Lab is now open via TFWA.com. The event will take place at the Palais des Festivals in Cannes from September 29 to October 4, 2019. To register, go to  https://www.tfwa.com/tfwa-world-exhibition-conference/book-your-place-100004721.See page 4 for additional details.
SUPPLY SIDE: SPIRITS
 
Craft spirits producer and distributor Atom Brands is launching Darkness 8 Year Old Triple Cask Travellers Edition exclusively in global travel retail, after debuting it at the Asia Pacific show in Singapore last week. Page 4.
Bacardi Global Travel Retail has collaborated with Parisian fashion label Maison Labiche to create a new Grey Goose vodka 2019 Riviera Series travel retail exclusive gift tin. Page 5
Canadian brand Crystal Head Vodka has installed its first permanent personalized wall display at Aer Rianta International North America‘s international departures store at Montreal Trudeau International Airport. Page 5.
Pernod Ricard Global Travel Retail (PRGTR) – targeting millennials — has added Absolut Grapefruit to its Absolut Citrus Flavors range. Page 5.
Beam Suntory Inc. has simplified its International region structure and realigned its International regions from six business units to three, combining Asia Pacific and Global Travel Retail. As a result of the restructure, John Rosair, Managing Director – Oceania, has been promoted to Managing Director, Asia Pacific & Global Travel Retail. Rosair has led the company’s Oceania business since 2015, and will relocate to Singapore for the new role. More details on page 5.