The Travel Markets Insider newsletter is attached to this post as a PDF file. To open the PDF file, please click on this link.
Today’s issue covers industry developments from Canada to Brazil, with a heavy emphasis on airport news.
The Frontier Duty Free Association Convention that took place in Toronto in mid-November tackled several critical issues this year-including declining membership, operator licensing and how the organization should evolve to best serve its members and stay relevant in a changing environment. Michael Pasternak speaks with FDFA’s newly elected president Abe Taqtaq and Executive Director Laurie Karson. Page 1.
In more news from the North, congratulations to Carolyn Schwark of Emerson Duty Free who was awarded the 2016 Outstanding Land Border Duty Free Employee Award in recognition for her 32 years with the family-owned company. Story on page 1.
AIRPORT NEWS.
Looking south to Brazil, Duty Free Americas has created a Food & Beverage division to operate coffee shops in airports throughout the country. The first five coffee shops opened in Curitiba’s Afonso Pena International Airport, under the brand name THE CAFÉ by DFA. Page 1.
San Francisco International Airport has announced its upcoming duty free concession RFP. The airport is currently inviting comments from interested qualified operators. See details on page 2.
The Los Angeles Board of Airport Commissioners has agreed to appropriate funding for a new state-of-the art concourse for the Tom Bradley International Terminal (TBIT) at LAX. The new Midfield Satellite Concourse will include 12 gates in the first phase of construction, due to be operational in about three years. Page 3.
AIRMALL at BWI Marshall International Airport in Baltimore celebrated the opening of the new D/E Connector designed to accommodate the airport’s growing international service. Among the most unique offerings is the first of its kind airport gym and shower facility operated by ROAM Fitness. See page 3.
Panama. Administrators of Panama City’s Tocumen International Airport announced that they will launch a tender in January for the duty free premises in Terminal 1, which since 2007 have been operated by Waked International. The concession was originally scheduled to expire next December. Page 3.
BY THE NUMBERS. ACI reports robust passenger traffic gains for September. Page 4.
Latin American tourism is surging, says hotel wholesaler Tourico Holidays, which reports that year-over-year hotel bookings have grown by 45%. Page 4.
Meetings. TFWA announces that pre-registration for the 2017 China’s Century Conference, taking place March 7-9 in Guangzhou, will begin this month. Go to tfwa.com for more information. Page 5.
