Travel Markets Insider Newsletter Vol. 22 No. 2

The Travel Markets Insider newsletter is attached to this post as a PDF file. To open the PDF file, please click on this link.

The organizers of the 2021 Summit of the Americas – IAADFS and ASUTIL – have announced a very impressive roster of speakers for the Knowledge Hub area at the upcoming virtual event taking place April 5-9. Key figures from the airport, border and cruise channels will discuss recovery.
Keynote addresses and panel sessions will also explore reshaping the airport experience, changing consumer demand, digitalization, sustainability, diversity and inclusion, alongside sessions that analyze travel prospects for the region and the economic outlook.
See pages 1 and 3 for the line-up of speakers and the list of retailers and operators who have also committed to attend. 
For a more global view of the impact of the coronavirus on travel retail, the Duty Free World Council will host a webinar updating the current state of the global and regional industry on Feb. 3. Registration details can be found on page 1. 

Joining much of the rest of the world, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has finally called for all incoming air travelers to obtain a negative COVID-19 test before flying back to the United States. Page 1.
BY THE NUMBERSThe International Air Transport Association (IATAreports that the recovery in passenger demand, which had been slowing since the Northern hemisphere’s summer travel season, came to a halt in November 2020. See full report on page 2.
AIRPORT TECH
Hudson has teamed up with Amazon to introduce contactless, walk-through airport stores featuring “Just Walk Out” technology. Page 3.

CRUISE NEWS
MSC Cruises. In a strong indication that the cruise channel is planning for better days ahead, MSC Cruises has unveiled details of a very ambitious Summer season program for 2022, including two homeports in the U.S. and two ships in China for the first time. Page 3.
L’Occitane at Sea.  Atlas Ocean Voyages and L’Occitane en Provence will launch the first-at-sea Luxury SeaSpa by L’Occitane aboard the World Navigator when the new ship launches her inaugural Holy Land and Black & Mediterranean Seas season in July 2021. Page 4.


SUPPLY SIDE
AVEDA. The Estee Lauder Companies kicked off 2021 by announcing that Aveda, its high performance, plant-based hair care brand, is now 100% vegan. The milestone achievement covers all of Aveda’s hair care, hair color, body care, make-up and aroma products, and emphasizes its commitment to sustainability. Page 4.


ANTI-VIRAL TRAVEL SPRAY
Garry Maxwell is launching a very interesting new weapon in the war against the global pandemic into the global travel retail market: the highly rated Taffix Nasal Spray is an effective personal anti-viral protection against coronavirus and other viruses. The Israeli-made Taffix is being made available through Maxwell’s new company, GMAX Travel Retail. The powder spray – which works in 50 seconds and can provide protection for up to five hours—seems tailor-made for all channels of travel. See more details on page 5.