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This week’s issue of Travel Markets Insider presents two exclusive interviews from companies that are making a difference at the point of sale in travel retail, in the Americas and worldwide.
First, TMI’s Michael Pasternak met with Roy Summers, head of Global Travel Retail for Proximo Spirits, which has mounted some striking airport activations, most recently for Dobel Tequila. As a sponsor of the famed US Open tennis matches that take place in New York every year, Proximo staged activations across all terminals at New York’s JFK airport and sampled more than 10,000 people during the campaign. Read full interview on page 3.
In the Beauty sector, TMI met with L’Occitane Groupe’s General Manager TR EMEAA Antoine Lafourcade to discuss the group’s growth plans in the Americas. With its namesake L’Occitane en Provence poised to celebrate its 50th anniversary in 2026, and its global blockbuster Sol de Janeiro continuing to wow airport travelers with colorful, bigger-than-life POS activations, Lafourcade talks about momentum and balance. Read the interview and see more news from L’Occitane on pages 5 & 6.
UPDATE: US government shutdown. After Congress voted to end the 43-day shutdown last week, the Federal Aviation Agency on Sunday lifted its flight-reduction emergency order and allowed normal operations to resume across the National Airspace System. More details on page 3.
INTERNATIONAL
In other news, we present the latest KPI Monitor from the Duty Free World Council prepared with m1nd-set, which reports that global air traffic has now surpassed the 2019 benchmark in all regions. In terms of shopping trends, self-indulgence tops the list of drivers in duty free. Pages 2 & 3.
The 2025 MEADFA conference, held in Dubai, attracted more than 700 attendees, a record attendance. Page 1.
SUPPLY SIDE
Mondelez WTR unveils its “Destination Value” growth vision. Page 4.
Bacardi GTR highlights Bombay Sapphire and E1 partnership with immersive activation at MIA. Page 7.
Penfold’s showcases global wine portfolio in Cannes. Page 7.
Kurate International celebrates a standout year in Travel Retail. Page 8.
Antony Morato opens first Travel Retail outlet. Page 8
Princess Cruises adds Hampton Water Rosé to its celebrity-crafted Love Line Premium Liquors collection and partners with best bar in North America. Page 8.
