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As we go to “press” the news has broken that Zachary Sulkes has just been named the Director of Beverage Operations at Carnival Cruise Lines—a terrific new position for him. Zachary spent 14 years at Bacardi, where he grew the company to be a leader in the cruise channel. At the beginning of this year he joined Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings as Beverage Category Manager, returning to the company where he first began his career as manager of onboard revenue. TMI congratulates him on this major new step.
It was a very busy week in travel retail in the Americas. In a major disappointment, the U.S. extended the travel restrictions on the land border with Canada and Mexico for non-essential travel for another week—and the reaction was swift. See pages 1 & 2.
In somewhat better news, the Liberal Party in Canada has pledged to support the “hardest hit” industries with some bridge assistance—to which the Frontier Duty Free Association and Canada’s land border duty free operators belong. “It is very good news,” FDFA Executive Director Barbara Barrett tells TMI. See full story on page 1.
In more news from Canada, the Peace Arch Duty Free store comments on its reopening after being closed due to COVID-19 restrictions for more than 17 months. Page 2.
Across the Pacific, meanwhile, Hawaii has re-imposed COVID-19 restrictions limiting social gatherings as the rapid spread of the Delta variant of the coronavirus pushed cases and hospitalizations in the U.S. to record highs. Page 5.
AIRPORTS
Airports Council International – North America confirms what we all know—2020 saw the worst decrease in air traffic in the region. See the latest report on page 2.
Dufry has renewed its concession contract with Cardiff Airport in Wales. Page 3.
American Airlines, Inc. has issued an RFP for a Master Concessionaire for JFK Terminal 8. According to the RFP documents, the concession could be even more attractive than it is now if plans to relocate British Airways from Terminal 7 into Terminal 8 come to fruition. More details on Page 4.
Financial agencies are beginning to see improvement ahead for some U.S. airports. Miami International reports that three top bond rating agencies have upgraded their outlooks for the airport. Page 5.
CRUISE NEWS
Jamaica welcomed its first cruise ship since the pandemic began. Page 3
The Bahamas issued an emergency order last Thursday mandating that all cruise passengers must now show proof of vaccination at its ports, and the major cruise lines are rushing to comply. Page 3.
The travel retail industry does see optimism for a better future, as indicated by the opening of a new cruise port store by 3Sixty Duty Free & More in the Mexican Caribbean Village of Mahahual at Puerto Costa Maya. Page 4.
The Port of Galveston in Texas broke ground on a new $125 million cruise terminal being specially built to house Royal Caribbean’s Allure of the Seas on Aug. 14. Construction is due for completion in November 2022. Page 5.
SUPPLY SIDE: SPIRITS
Jose Chao, another former Bacardi executive who was a major force in developing the company’s duty free/travel retail business, has joined Coppa Cocktails USA as President and CEO Americas. Page 5.
Brown-Forman is launching a GTR exclusive Jack Daniels’ Tennessee Travels exclusively with Heinemann. Page 6.
The Dalmore has announced the launch of The Dalmore Decades, a stunning collection of rare and one-of-a-kind whiskies that span six decades. See where in duty free these unique collections will be available. Page 6.
Duty Free Global has been named the Global Travel Retail partner of Silent Pool Distillers, producers of the super premium Silent Pool Gin and of Green Man Woodland Gin, the world’s first spirit packaged in a cardboard bottle. See how Silent Pool is all about sustainability. Page 7.
