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As TMI prepared to “go to press” today, the welcome news broke that the TFWA Asia Pacific Exhibition & Conference will take place in 2021, on May 9-13. The event will combine the best of physical and virtual to offer more flexibility and convenience to delegates. Further details will be announced shortly.
Building on its series of webinars, including TFWA China Reborn, TFWA Asia Pacific Exhibition & Conference will present the most up-to-date research, brand news and trade advice to enable industry professionals to grow their business in the key Asia Pacific region, with a particular focus on the fast-growing Chinese market, said TFWA in the official announcement.
The event will also incorporate a refreshed format of the well-established TFWA ONE2ONE networking meeting service, said TFWA.
SOME BORDERS OPEN AND SOME DO NOT
TMI’s lead story today is the reopening of Hawaii to tourism on Oct. 15. The tourism-dependent state has instituted a series of strict pre-travel testing protocols to protect the health and safety of travelers and residents. See details on page 1.
While Hawaii is opening, Canada is keeping its borders closed to U.S. visitors for another month, until Nov. 21, 2020 at least. Page 1.
In the U.S., air traffic is picking up. TSA reported that it had screened more than one million passengers last Sunday, Oct. 18, a record high since the pandemic shut down travel. Page 4.
IN MEMORIAM. TMI is very sorry to announce the passing of Roy Harms, the founder of Romar Trading in Aruba. John Gallagher reports. Page 1.
PARTNERSHIPS
Dufry concluded its rights offering this this week, as Alibaba takes a 6.1% stake in the company. Page 2.
Airport e-commerce platform Grab has partnered with 3Sixty Duty Free to launch a retail offer at Dallas Fort Worth International Airport. Page 2.
MEDIA/VIRTUAL/SUSTAINABILITY
TRBusiness has announced the launch of the Travel Retail Sustainability Week, the first virtual event for travel retail dedicated solely to sustainability. Page 3.
TRBusiness also announced the winners of the third edition of the consumer-voted Travel Retail Awards, which were revealed at a virtual ceremony on Sept. 29 during the publication’s TR Marketplace digital networking forum. See full list of winners on Page 3
The Moodie Davitt Report: “overwhelmingly positive reaction” to inaugural Virtual TR Expo. The groundbreaking event delivered the numbers and generously donated thousands to charity. Martin Moodie reports that they have even more new ideas in the pipeline for the upcoming Summit of the Americas. Page 4.
SHISEIDO. We take a look at Shiseido’s suite at the Virtual Travel Retail Expo to see how versatile the digital concept can be. Page 5.
SUPPLY SIDE
Jim Beam is launching a “landmark” GTR exclusive premium bourbon, Lineage, which is a collaboration between the brand’s 7th and 8th generation family distillers, Fred Noe and his son Freddie. Page 4.
Godiva’s CEO Annie Young-Scrivner will head up the newly formed Wella Company. Page 5.
