The Travel Markets Insider newsletter is attached to this letter as a PDF file. To open the PDF file, please click here
SUMMIT OF THE AMERICAS
The travel retail industry will celebrate the first in-person gathering of 2022 on Sunday evening, when the IAADFS Summit of the Americas commences in Palm Beach, Florida with a very welcome opening cocktail. The International Association of Airport and Duty Free Stores has put together an interesting hybrid event combining a program of relevant education sessions, a modified trade market with stands and meeting rooms, and myriad opportunities for networking
TMI hears of more people who will be attending the show every day, looking to take advantage of the chance to get together with colleagues after so long. Please be sure to check out the schedule of sessions and the networking cocktail each evening from 6:30 – 8:00. More highlights on page 4.
See you in Palm Beach!
Lois Pasternak
IN THIS ISSUE
As you may have noticed, Travel Markets Insider is sporting a new logo at the top of the page. We are honoring our 25th anniversary this year, and kicking off the celebration during the Summit of the Americas. We sent out our first issue – a one page fax – in April 1997 following the IAADFS show in Orlando that year.
We are immensely grateful for all the support we have received from the industry over the past quarter century, as we dedicated ourselves to providing the information critical to doing business in this part of the world.
The Cruise industry is having a pretty good week. The CDC finally dropped its risk advisory for cruise travel at the end of March. Page 1.
Perhaps as a result, Carnival Cruise Line saw its highest booking week ever as the travel restrictions were eased. Page 1.
And the first cruise ship to call on a Canadian port since 2019 is arriving in Victoria on Saturday, April 9th. Holland America’s Koningsdam will then sail to Vancouver, arriving April 10th. Page 3.
TRAVEL
Further underlining that travel is making a comeback, American Express paints a bright picture for the future of travel in its 2022 Global Travel Trends report. Page 2.
IN THE SPOTLIGHT
In the biggest People News of the week, David Rodiek was named to head up the Brown-Forman Global Travel Retail business, replacing Aude Bourdier, who takes a new role as Vice President/General Manager of B-F France/BeLux. Page 2.
AVIATION
Low-cost Spirit Airlines has a new suiter, as JetBlue issues an unsolicited acquisition proposal to counter one issued in February by Frontier Airlines. Spirit says it will begin discussions with JetBlue even as the Frontier deal is still on the table. Page 3.
SUPPLY SIDE
MONARQ Group signs distribution agreement with Uncle Nearest Premium Whiskey. Page 4.
Katherine Sleipnes’ International Brand Builders Inc. is partnering with UK-beauty brand ICONIC London for Travel Retail Americas. Page 5.
Sleipnes is also working with epeexx, a new digital virtual retail display with patent pending technology. Sleipnes, who is travel retail director for the new company, will be in Palm Beach with company founder Ron Razzegi to talk about the concept. Page 5.
