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COVID-19 CORONAVIRUS UPDATE
The impact of the COVID-19 virus is spreading worldwide as outbreaks surge outside of China, with South Korea, Italy and Iran growing centers of concern.
In this week’s update, TMI presents reports from IATA to m1nd-set, while Delta Airlines cuts flights to South Korea and in the Caribbean a cruise ship is prevented from docking at two major islands. Plus a major spirits company predicts losses. Coverage begins on page 1.
For a slice of positive news, the Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO) presented the Caribbean Tourism Performance Report for 2019 in an online presentation this morning, reporting significant recovery in the destinations most impacted by the hurricanes in 2017 for an overall record year in both stay-over and cruise visits. There are hints that the region could further prosper from re-deployments if the region can stay virus-free. See more details on page 1.
PEOPLE
IN MEMORIAM: The Caribbean is mourning the passing of one of the important people in the region’s tourism channel, Grenada’s Sir Royston Hopkin. The “legendary hotelier” passed away over the weekend at the age of 75 in Trinidad following complications from heart surgery. Hopkin was the owner of the five-star Spice Island Beach Resort on Grenada’s Grand Anse Beach and a past president of both the Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association and the Grenada Hotel and Tourism Association. Page 2.
Well-known travel retail executive Luke Gorringe has joined Travel Accessory brand Trtl as Director of International Retail. The former senior executive of Aer Rianta sees tremendous potential for his brand in U.S. Travel Retail, he tells TMI. Page 2.
The House of Sōmrus, fast-growing creator of liqueurs inspired by India, has named former Sazerac global sales director Guy May as head of global business, with responsibility to drive the company’s strategic expansion into international and duty free markets. Page 2.
CRUISE & AIRPORT CONCESSIONS
Starboard Cruise Services and Celebrity Cruises have introduced new retail offerings on board the refurbished Celebrity Silhouette. With almost 6,500 square feet of retail space, the newly reimagined Celebrity Silhouette’s retail highlights include brands debuting on Celebrity for the first time and exciting new retail concepts supporting Celebrity’s immersive destination experiences. Page 3.
Nintendo has opened Nintendo Switch On The Go pop-up airport lounges at four major U.S. airports. Beginning in mid-February and running through the end of March, the lounges feature comfortable seating, charging ports and Nintendo Switch game demos playable in both Handheld mode and TV mode. More details on page 4
SUPPLY SIDE
Luxottica-owned sunglasses brand Oakley has signed a “monumental” deal with the National Football League to be an official on-field partner and licensee of the NFL in North America.
Under the deal, Oakley has created a special-edition NFL eyewear collection for all 32 teams in the league in two men’s styles that is available through selected distribution across domestic and travel retail outlets. The company has already begun working with Duty Free Americas in its Miami, Atlanta and New York JFK airport duty free stores, and DFS in JFK, San Francisco International Airport and Guam’s T-Galleria by DFS. See page 4.
The newest fragrance in the Tom Ford Private Blend collection is Rose Prick, because, says the company, “A rose by any other name wouldn’t be Tom Ford.” Page 3.
Campo Viejo has unveiled a new Tempranillo expression, which is exclusive to Dufry stores within global travel retail. The GTR exclusive wine launched exclusively in Heathrow Terminal 5 in February before becoming available to travelers around the rest of the world, including Spain, Australia and America.
