Travel Markets Insider Newsletter Vol. 21 No. 16

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

 

The numbers are pouring in and they are not good.
The UN World Tourism Organization reports that international tourism arrivals could plunge as much as 80% by the end of this year, calling it “the worst crisis that international tourism has faced since records began (1950).” See story on page 1 and access to full UNWTO report here.
Airports Council International is predicting that the global airport business could lose half of its value and passengers in 2020 as the impact of COVID-19 will be more prolonged and more widespread than it was forecasting only one month ago. Page 5.
Survival and Revival
 
With these latest numbers as background, ACI Director General, Angela Gittens, and The Moodie Davitt Report’s Martin Moodie headlined a Call-in Forum for the Airport Concessions Industry hosted by the Airport Restaurant & Retail Association (ARRA), and the Airport Minority Advisory Council (AMAC). More than 950 listeners participated and the presentation offered insights into the latest developments and discussed how the re-emerging airport business models may look going forward.
Read more on page 5.
Global Recovery Protocol 
The Duty Free World Council is also planning for the future and is requesting industry input to help it develop a global Recovery Protocol for business to follow as pandemic restrictions ease. Page 1.
LATAM NEW BUSINESS
 
Despite the COVID-19 restrictions in place, a new border free shop, Sky Duty Free, opened this week in Foz de Iguaçu, Brazil – the first in that location on the Brazil side of the border with Argentina and Paraguay. John Gallagher reports. Page 2.
COVID-19 INITIATIVES
 
Associated Photo & Imaging
 
Small businesses which have depended on servicing the major players in the travel retail channel are particularly vulnerable to the fallout from the pandemic. Miami’s Associated Photo & Imaging, a specialty photo imaging company that has been providing visual brand services since 1946 and is a key service supplier to the travel retail industry throughout the country, is one.
     TMI speaks with AP Imaging President Diana Herrera about how her company – which will be celebrating its 75th anniversary next year – has pivoted to survive. Page 3
Viña Concha y Toro
Viña Concha y Toro, in a far reaching initiative, has certified its molecular biology research laboratory to diagnose COVID-19 in Chile. Page 3.
Duty Free Innovation
Sustainable retail specialist DFI has created a Travel-Safe Shopping kit for airports and retailers, designed to help reassure travelers for post lock-down recovery. See details on page 4.
CANADA
 
Quebec’s Importations Guay Ltée is making a difference in its local communities by buying and donating tens of thousands of safety masks to local hospitals and care facilities. Page 4.
CRUISE
Porthole Cruise Magazine‘s widely regarded publisher, Bill Panoff, presents a strong argument about why the cruise industry– which has been built by exceeding expectations — will recover, which he is sharing with TMI’s readers. Page 6.
In related news, Norwegian Cruise Line managed to elude bankruptcy and Carnival Cruise Line will begin phasing in some select cruises in August–conditions permitting.