Ontario duty free stores have banded together as a buying group to have a stronger voice with its supplier partners and the Ontario Liquor Board. Chris Foster, who heads the group and owns Queenston-Lewiston Duty Free in Niagara Falls, Canada, tells TMI that the combined weight of its Ontario members has had a positive impact in its […]
Canada
SSP Canada opens collection of restaurants at Ottawa Macdonald-Cartier International Airport
SSP Canada has now opened a collection of local and Canadian restaurants at Ottawa International Airport. In 2019, the Ottawa Airport Authority announced the multi-year YOW+ terminal enhancement program which included a reimagined airport concession program. As part of the YOW+ program, SSP Canada, the preferred food and beverage concessionaire, was tasked with the ambitious […]
SSP to increase its footprint in North America through acquisition of ECG in Canada
SSP Group plc will expand its presence in North America through the recent acquisition of Calgary-based ECG Ventures Limited (ECG). SSP, a leading travel food and beverage operator, will take over the leases of three units at Calgary Airport and an additional two at Edmonton Airport. The five new restaurant/bars – The Kitchen by Wolfgang Puck, […]
Canadian tourism revenue recovers one year earlier than predicted
Although one of the last countries to re-open its borders to tourism, Canada’s tourism revenue is set to exceed 2019 levels, generating $109.5 billion by the end of 2023, according to Destination Canada’s latest Tourism Outlook report. This represents the recovery of the tourism sector from the COVID-19 pandemic one year earlier than projected. Despite […]
Pilgrim creates giant spectacle at Montreal Airport with ARI
Danish jewelry brand Pilgrim is partnering with AerRianta International (ARI) at Montreal Airport for four weeks, highlighting its collection with a super-sized pair of sunglasses, which is turning travelers’ heads in store. Located in the international terminal, the simple and elegant sculpture creates an irresistible eye-catching installation and together with the branded image wrap column […]
Hard fought recovery showing signs of progress as new Canadian border Duty Free model stresses collaboration
There was a sense of hopefulness at the 2023 Frontier Duty Free Association (FDFA) Convention held last month in Toronto, the first full gathering of Canadian land border operators, suppliers, and industry stakeholders since the pandemic. While registration numbers were down 30% versus the last pre-COVID show in 2019, FDFA Executive Director Barbara Barrett tells […]
2023 FDFA Convention celebrates Excellence in Duty Free Industry with Gold Standard Awards
The Frontier Duty Free Association (FDFA), representing Canada’s land border duty free shops, announced the winners of the 2023 Gold Standard Awards at the FDFA Convention in Toronto. The awards ceremony took place during the Gala Dinner on November 29 at the conclusion of the 2023 event. As the advocate and voice for the Canadian […]
From Canada to the World … T.S.M. Custom Millwork builds TR business
Canadian furniture building specialists T.S.M. Custom Millwork has been working with travel retail operators for more than a quarter century. While it was first focused on the land border operators north of the border, its builds are now featured with almost every border and airport operator in North America. The company has grown, changed names, […]
ARI celebrates milestone 25th Anniversary in North America
ARI celebrated the 25th Anniversary of its business in North America at an exclusive “cocktail dinatoire” event hosted at 1769 Distillery in Montreal on September 15. The event was attended by many partners and local supporters of the ARI business in the region, including airport partners, local suppliers with long-standing relationships, executives from ARI, senior […]
In Memoriam: Len DaSilva
Canada’s Frontier Duty Free Association announced the very sad news that Len DaSilva has passed away. DaSilva was the Senior VicePresident and COO of West Coast Duty Free store for nearly two decades. “Len sat on the FDFA Board of Directors for several years and contributed greatly to Canada’s duty free industry. “Len was part […]
FDFA advocates to protect U.S./Canada border from future closures
Travel Markets Insider had an opportunity to speak with FDFA President Tania Lee and FDFA Executive Director Barbara Barrett about their efforts to promote the cause of the border duty free stores with Canada’s elected officials in Ottawa, and what they are hoping for going forward. “May 10th was the FDFA’s Day on the Hill […]
Canada/U.S. Border to open fully May 11
The Frontier Duty Free Association (FDFA) has announced that tomorrow, May 11, 2023, marks the day non-essential travelers will be accepted into the United States without proof of a COVID-19 vaccine and will end unnecessary conditions at the border and return the Canada/USA border to a normal pre-pandemic state. The FDFA, representing the small independently-owned, […]
Ontario Duty Free tackles supply issue through local craft spirits
Duty free stores across Ontario in Canada are now targeting local craft spirits like they never have before as a way to offset some global supply chain issues. Chris Foster, owner of Queenston Lewiston Duty Free in Niagara Falls, Canada says the local Ontario craft spirits fill multiple needs for the land border duty free […]
Aer Rianta adjusts its workplace in Canada to new realities post-Pandemic
While airport passenger levels are still drastically below 2019 peaks for Aer Rianta International in Montreal and Quebec, Canada – passenger numbers for 2021 were only 19% of 2019 traffic numbers and resulting travel retail sales were 26% of 2019 levels—the company has made some important adjustments to how it does business as recovery moves […]
Wine Classics signs E. & J. Gallo Winery for Canada DF/TR distribution
E. & J. Gallo Winery Canada and Wine Classics International are partnering in Canada Travel Retail representing E. & J. Gallo Winery’s extensive portfolio of premium wines and spirits. Wine Classics International will represent the E. & J. Gallo Winery’s portfolio as the agent in the Canadian Duty Free Market. The partnership took effect on […]
