The Travel Markets Insider newsletter is attached to this post as a PDF file. To open the PDF file, please click on this link.
First, apologies for the delay in issuing this post-Cannes edition of the Travel Markets Insider newsletter. Unfortunately, the staff and family of Pasternak Communications were caught in the path and aftermath of the the mega-Hurricane Sandy that struck the east coast of North America. Thankfully, no one in our family suffered any serious damage or injury, but we were out of commission with no power, phone or internet service for more than a week.
We are now in Niagara Falls, Ontario on the eve of the 17th annual Canadian Frontier Duty Free Association Convention. The day included a full agenda of Operator’s Meetings, one highlight of which was the presentation by Diageo of its new travel exclusive Johnnie Walker Explorers’ Club, Diageo’s largest ever investment in travel retail. Roland Abella, Managing Director of Diageo Global Travel and Middle East, unveiled the first permanent TR exclusive range in the Explorers’ Club at the TFWA World Exhibition in Cannes – the Johnnie Walker Trade Routes Series – and the company is now rolling out the concept to travel retail operators around the world. See more details on pages 3 and 4.
TMI will issue more details on the meetings later this week.
Most of this issue focuses on the Tax Free World Exhibition in Cannes and events that took place during the show — including the election of new TFWA Board and Management Committee members.
In other news, the Brazilian government approved the establishment of border shops in Brazil — and the duty free operators in neighboring countries are warily watching to see how this new level of competition will effect their business. More details on page 1.
Grupo Wisa announces the opening of its new 1,316- square-meter walk-through duty free store in Bogota International Airport and reveals plans for additional luxury-end branded boutiques. See page 2.
On the supply side, Tairo International received P&G’s Global Distributor award for Best Advocacy Program, Absolut introduced its latest Traveler’s Exclusive Limited Edition flavor, and Jack Daniel’s unveiled an ultra-premium travel retail exclusive expression of its Tennessee Whiskey, Jack Daniel’s Sinatra Select, which Brown-Forman says recognizes the relationship between “Two American Icons,” Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Whiskey and Frank Sinatra. Jack Daniel’s Sinatra Select was introduced at a special press conference at the Tax Free World Association attended by Frank Sinatra, Jr.
PEOPLE NEWS covers new developments at Parbel L’Oreal Luxe, Essence Corp., Furla and World of Patria. Congratulations to ACI Director General Angela Gittens who was awarded the Airport Consultants Council (ACC) 2012 ACC Aviation Award of Excellence on Nov. 6. See further details on page 1.