The Travel Markets Insider newsletter is attached to this post as a PDF file. To open the PDF file, please click on this link.
This week’s issue delivers more evidence that the industry is slowly emerging from lock-down as it examines new ways to move forward in a world still defined by the coronavirus pandemic.
CANADA/FDFA
By regions, the duty free industry in Canada, whose border business is still in “dire” straits, has joined a coalition of other “hardest hit” industries and persuaded its government to extend wage benefits due to expire this month, into 2021. Read details on page 2.
LATIN AMERICA
In a very positive development, ASUTIL Secretary General Jose Luis Donagaray expects all South American airports to open in October, as the Association is negotiating border allowances and transaction fees in Brazil and the adoption and harmonization of global safety protocols throughout the region. Although passenger traffic is expected to be very slow at first, it is a start. Page 3.
ASUTIL also announces it will be holding a virtual border event in November. Page 3.
CARRIBEAN
Caribbean Tourism Organization Secretary General Neil Walters reports on the latest tourism figures from the region and announces that at least 20 destinations have opened to one degree or another. Page 3.
CRUISE
CLIA announces mandatory health protocols as path to phased restart of U.S. cruises as the industry awaits decision from the Centers for Disease Control whether it will extend the current No-Sail order. Page 4.
Costa Cruises restarts cruise operations in Italy, but cancels its South American 2020/2021 season. Page 4.
After reporting a $2.9 billion loss in the third quarter, Carnival Corporation is seeking to sell 18 of its older and less efficient ships. The move will allow it to emerge as a “leaner and more efficient company,” pay down debt and be ready for the strong number of advance bookings it has for 2Q 2021. Page 4.
SUPPLY SIDE
Travel retail brands are also moving forward and adapting to the new requirements of a post-COVID world.
TMI’s main feature looks at the spectacular new Beauty Hub store L’Oréal Travel Retail Americas has opened in partnership with Marshall Retail Group in New York at LaGuardia Airport’s new Terminal B Arrivals and Departures Hall. Fully-digitalized and featuring the latest in touchless technology, the store offers an array of the beauty giant’s most iconic brands. Page 1.
Coty has strengthened its commitment to travel retail as it establishes a separate stand-alone organization for the channel and names Caroline Andreotti as Executive VP, Global Travel Retail, based in Geneva. Page 2.
SPIRITS
Beam Suntory GTR announces new GM, as it transforms its global operating model. Page 5.
Duty Free Global partners with The House of Sōmrus in GTR, as TBrands is named to represent the brand in domestic Americas markets. Page 5.
CONFECTIONERY
Two of the major confectionery brands in global travel retail also renewed their commitment to the travel retail channel and discuss some ways they are adapting to the new environment, including streamlining their portfolios with even more emphasis on Fun and Value, as well as exciting new offers.
MARS WRIGLEY
Mars Wrigley International Travel Retail is gearing up for recovery in travel retail with a tight range of power SKUs representing the highest selling products from Mars Wrigley International Travel Retail. Raghav Rekhi, Category Director Mars Wrigley ITR, reported that the company will be significantly simplifying its travel retail portfolio in 2021, as it continues to meet the needs of traveling consumers, all with an element of FUN. Page 6.
NESTLE ITR
Nestlé International Travel Retail (NITR) continues to invest in measures to drive industry growth despite the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. NITR General Manager Stewart Dryburgh and Marketing Manager Tamara Spada reports that the company maintains its faith in the sector’s resilience and ability to recover and previewed several product innovations that will help drive its recovery. In addition to new value-driven offerings from its industry-leading confectionery brands, Nestle will make a big push in travel retail with its #1-selling coffee brand Nescafé. Page 7.
