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In an issue chock full of wide-ranging news, TMI starts off with the welcome announcement that the first two Brazilian border stores have been authorized to open by Brazil’s Receita Federal. TMI will run additional information on this breaking story as it becomes available. John Gallagher reports on page 1.
In another major development in the Americas, the Trump Administration this past week ended an educational travel program to Cuba which included banning “passenger and recreational vessels,” a move that bans all cruises from the U.S. to Cuba. Effective immediately, the move significantly impacts the major cruise lines and as many as 800,000 passengers. Lois Pasternak reports. Page 4.
BY THE NUMBERS
CTO. While Cuba is suffering from the impact on its tourism, the Caribbean as a whole is experiencing one of its best first quarters in years-tourist arrivals rose 12% in the period, spurred by a 24% rise in arrivals from the United States. Cruise arrivals reached record numbers as well. Details on page 1.
IATA: Global air passenger traffic meanwhile turned in a “solid” performance in April, although the rate of growth in some leading Asian markets has slowed considerably. Page 2.
CRUISE RETAIL
Starboard Cruise Services has unveiled almost 8,000 square feet of retail space showcasing global luxury brands and experiential moments onboard Royal Caribbean International’s China-based Spectrum of the Seas. The ship features concepts that Starboard says will “redefine”cruise shopping. Page 3.
AIRPORT
The Miami-Dade County Board of County Commissioners this week adopted a new capital improvement program at Miami International Airport that will fund up to $5 billion in airport-wide modernization projects over the next five to 15 years. The program – reported by TMI last week– will pave the way for future growth in passenger and cargo traffic at MIA, which is projected to reach 77 million travelers and more than four million tons of freight by the year 2040. Page 2
SUPPLY SIDE/DISTRIBUTOR NEWS
North America Duty Free‘s receiving and distribution facility — International Warehouse Services (IWS) located at Port Everglades in Florida – broke ground this week for a new 300,000 sq ft International Logistics Center (ILC), reports NADF CEO Steve Fortgang. Page 2.
Leading Caribbean luxury watch and jewelry retailer Little Switzerland is “first to market” with Engrace Diamonds, an exclusive lab grown diamond brand. Page 5.
Brand Strategy, the fashion distribution company that debuted in travel retail at the Orlando Duty Free & Travel Retail Summit of the Americas, is now launching the Robert Graham brand into the global travel retail channel. Page 5.
The Fragrance Foundations Awards. Over 900 people within the global fragrance community attended the annual Fragrance Foundation Awards Gala at Lincoln Center in New York City on June 5, at which time Tom Ford was honored with the Hall of Fame Award. See the list of who else came home a winner on page 6.
Ian Macleod Distillers has signed an agreement for Edinburgh Gin that expands listings with Dufry, including in its airport stores in the U.S., Argentina and Brazil. Page 6.
IWSR reports that worldwide alcohol consumption fell -1.6% in 2018, but gin is in the “pink”, posting total growth of 8.3% versus 2017. Page 6
