The Travel Markets Insider newsletter is attached to this post as a PDF file. To open the PDF file, please click on this link.
Organizer Christopher Staab announces that the 2013 Mega Event & 7th Ancillary Merchandising Conference is now open for early bird registration at: www.FFP-AMC.com. It will take place Nov. 12-13 in Vancouver, Canada and is expected to draw 500 senior airline and travel industry executives from around the globe.
NEWS. The latest air passenger numbers show modest growth for the past year as of November according to ACI and IATA and, for the first time in months, report cargo numbers inching into positive territory. Latin American airlines continued to post the highest passenger growth. See details beginning on page 1.
In Mexico, airport operator ASUR reports that passenger traffic was up 8.7% in December, nearly all of which was due to strong traffic in Cancun. Page 4.
CONCESSIONS. The Lagardère Services Group’s LS travel retail North America begins the new year with two important new contracts in the airports at George Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston and the New Tom Bradley International Terminal at Los Angeles International Airport, as it expands its footprint in the Americas. Full story on page 2.
Massachusetts-based airport developer MarketPlace Development nabs a major contract with the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority to manage the retail and food & beverage concessions for both Ronald Reagan Washington National and Washington Dulles International airports, Details on page 3.
Supply Side News. Chivas 18 unveils a new limited edition collaboration with top Italian car designer Pininfarina; Bacardi acquires the super-premium elder-flower liqueur St-Germain.
People. Bacardi Ltd. announces new top communications post; well-respected industry veterans Sharon Cherry and Virginie Descamps accept new positions; LS travel retail names new executive vp for Middle East Africa; Beam promotes a new Bourbon Ambassador for North America, more. Pages 1-2.
