The Travel Markets Insider newsletter is attached to this letter as a PDF file. To open the PDF file, please click here
THE NEWS
This week’s jam-packed issue of Travel Markets Insider sadly starts off with the news of the death of yet another pioneering icon of the travel retail industry, who had a profound impact on how jewelry is sold onboard hundreds of cruise ships around the world. Fatollah “Effy” Hematian, founder and the driving creative force behind Effy’s Jewelry, died last Sunday. See more details on page 1.
We have been closely monitoring and reporting on the surging air traffic in the U.S, and worldwide, a trend which looks to continue, according to the latest quarterly survey from the U.S. Travel Association. The organization is warning that the summer travel boom will be a stress test for the U.S. travel system, however, which it says is suffering from decades of under-investment and bad decisions. See survey highlights on page 1 and what steps the U.S. travel industry is asking for in this year’s FAA reauthorization bill, on page 2.
In more aviation news, IATA reports that March passenger air traffic rose more than 50% over that of March 2022. Domestic traffic is so strong, it is nearly at 2019 volumes. Details on page 2.
ASSOCIATION NEWS
APTRA, the Asia Pacific Travel Retail Association, has elected its new Board for 2023-2025. Sunil Tuli, Group CEO of King Power (Hong Kong) has been re-elected President. Page 1.
This weekend also sees the opening of the TFWA Asia Pacific Conference & Exhibition in Singapore. We wish all of our colleagues attending a very successful event. On the occasion of the APAC Exhibition, the Duty Free World Council announced the launch of the DFWC Academy China. Page 2.
**Huge apologies to The Bluedog Group, which we announced had acquired Essential Communications last week. Although we had the names correct in the article, we misspelled the company name on this cover letter. We regret any inconvenience this may have caused. LP
AT THE POINT OF SALE
Moet Hennessy Travel Retail has opened a stunning Hennessy Boutique in Jamaica’s Sangster International Airport in Montego Bay with Dufry. This is the first Hennessy boutique in the Americas travel retail market. Page 3.
CONCESSIONS
Hudson, a Dufry company, has won a major new concession contract in Boston Logan International Airport. Not only does it extend the Group’s long-term duty-paid operations, but it includes a new contract for duty free, which Hudson says will be transformative for the airport. Page 5.
PEOPLE & COMPANIES
International Shoppes has partnered with a leading hunger-relief agency in Long Island, New York. Page 4.
Duty Free Americas’ VP of its Airport Division, Denise Erickson, has been named winner of a Woman of the Year aviation industry award. Page 4.
Celebrity Cruises President & CEO Lisa Lutoff-Perlo has transitioned to a new role; Laura Hodges Bethge becomes brand president of Celebrity. Page 4.
Long-time Cartier executive David Horton has taken a new role with Demir Group International (DGI- Haygo Demir). Page 4.
DGI has also announced a new partner ship with REVO eyewear for the Caribbean, LATAM and travel retail. Page 6.
IFE Luxe Group (Dario Pastorelli and Anna Zordan) is now representing fine Italian jewelry brand CHIMENTO. Page 6.
Coty and Davidoff renew and extend their license agreement. Page 6.
SUPPLY SIDE
Hershey eyes further success in the Americas with new launches. Page 7.
MONARQ Group partners with The Lakes Distillery for distribution in the Caribbean, LATAM & US DF. Page 8.
Compass Box appoints Duty Free Global as new global TR partner. Page 8.
Tito’s Handmade Vodka expands in Asia-Pacific. Page 8.
Blue Caterpillar named exclusive Travel Retail distributor for super-premium Mijenta Tequila in the Americas. Page 8.
