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With the WHO officially declaring COVID-19 a global pandemic on March 11, the subsequent series of developments have changed the world as we know it for the immediate future.
U.S. President Donald Trump stunned the world by banning most flights from Europe, (and then added the UK and Ireland), as he declared that the U.S. is in a national emergency as this country braces for its own explosion of infections. Italy has closed down, and may be followed by France and Spain.
Rafat Ali, founder of the excellent travel group Skift, summed it up perfectly in a letter to subscribers with the words “The Day the World Stopped Traveling.”
“These are existential times for the global travel industry,” he said, going on to mention “the deafening silence of a grounded planet.”
Under this scenario, this issue of TMI details OAG’s forecast of the impact of the Europe to U.S. ban on global aviation (2 million seats) on page 1, while m1nd-set looks at the “unprecedented hit” the ban will have on travel retail sales in the affected regions (page 2).
Much attention has centered on the cruise industry. Late on Friday Cruise Lines International Association announced that its member ocean-going cruise lines will be voluntarily suspending cruise ship operations from U.S. ports of call for 30 days as public health officials and the U.S. Government continue to address COVID-19. Page 1.
LVMH GIVES BACK
As we get ready to send this out, the news has just broken that LVMH will convert its perfume and cosmetic production lines to produce large quantities of hand sanitizers (hydroalcoholic gels) beginning Monday, and deliver them free of charge to health authorities in France, as the coronavirus rapidly spreads there.
The immediate actions are underway to slow the spread of the virus and save lives, as is critical, but looking past this crisis, the industry must be prepared to support our colleagues and hit the ground running when travel again resumes.
To this end, TMI has filled this issue with supply side news as business continues where it can.
AT THE POINT OF SALE
MAC Cosmetics celebrated the grand opening of its new boutique at Indianapolis International Airport (IND) this week with a special event in association with Dress for Success Indianapolis by giving a small group of local women makeovers and professional headshot photos to enhance their presence for career success. Page 3
Duty Free Dynamics adds L.O.L. Surprise! to its toy portfolio. Page 3
SPIRITS
Family Brands Alliance restructures and expands in the Americas. Page 4
Brown-Forman launches Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Apple in GTR after U.S. success. Page 4
ALFA Brands and InnoTRI sign exclusive deal for Cihuatan Rum in Canada Duty Free. Page 7
BEAUTY
Calvin Klein unveils new genderless and vegan fragrance, CK EVERYONE. Page 4
Rituals launches the Ritual of Jing collection, which enhances relaxation and sleep. Page 5
Molton Brown reinforces its position as a pioneer of British New Guard Perfumery with creation of its first musk scent featuring a milk accord. Page 5
SHISEIDO Travel Retail unveils latest make-up innovations for NARS, Laura Mercier, Shiseido and Clé de Peau Beauté. Page 6
Gucci Beauty enters the mascara sector with the debut of Mascara L’Obscur. Page 6
Estée Lauder Companies: Too Faced extends line with three new Hangover Skincare products in travel retail. Page 7
OPERATORS
Hudson Group reports record 2019 revenues but warns of COVID-19 impact in 2020. Page 7
