Travel Markets Insider Newsletter Vol. 23 No. 8

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

This week’s issue of Travel Markets Insider is all about Numbers and People.

Two of the most influential travel retail executives of the past two decades –Julian Diaz of Dufry and Olivier Bottrie of The Estée Lauder Companies — have announced their retirements, paving the way for what could be new eras in both companies.

Stepping into Bottrie’s role, Israel Assa, currently President, Commercial, Travel Retail Worldwide, will become Global President, Travel Retail Worldwide on May 1. Assa, who formerly headed up Estée Lauder’s Travel Retail Americas business out of Miami, is well-known in the region.

Javier Simon, another familiar face in the Americas who also once headed up the Americas Travel Retail business, will succeed Assa as President, Commercial, Travel Retail Worldwide. Simon currently heads up the company’s Travel Retail Asia Pacific business. See full stories on all three on pages 3-5.

TMI wishes Olivier a much deserved new chapter in his life and continued success to Israel and Javier in their new roles. 

DUFRY

Julian Diaz, who transformed Dufry into the leading global airport retailer worth more than $9 billion Swiss francs over his 18-year tenure, might be one of the most transformational leaders ever seen in the travel retail world.

Stepping into Diaz’ role, Dufry’s Board of Directors have name Xavier Rossinyol as the new Chief Executive Officer. The well-respected Rossinyol has a long history with Dufry, until he left the company in 2015 to head up Gate Group, the leader in airline catering and onboard retail. We wish both gentlemen much success.

In related news, Dufry released its year-end 2021 figures, showing that a remarkable recovery is underway. See pages 6 & 7. 

BY THE NUMBERS

INTERNATIONAL. IATA reports that the recovery seen in passenger air traffic in January slowed in most of the world following the imposition of new travel restrictions imposed as the result of the emergence of the Omicron variant. IATA also assesses the impact that the Russian invasion of Ukraine might have. Page 1 & 2.

U.S. The U.S. Department of Commerce’s National Travel and Tourism Office reports that air passenger travel to and from the U.S. continued to soar in February, although it still drags behind 2019 traffic. Page 1.

ForwardKeys. Russia’s invasion of Ukraine caused an immediate drop in flight bookings in Eastern Europe, but does not seem to have impacted western European and transatlantic travel as much as expected. Page 2.

HAWAII. Tourists are returning to Hawaii, although they are spending less than before the pandemic hit. Page 2. 

CONCESSIONS/ASSOCIATIONS

Servy JV wins the contract for the mobile ordering and delivery program at SFO. Page 5.

Stephen Timms of Lotte Duty Free is representing the Australia Duty Free Association on the APTRA Board. Page 5.