The Travel Markets Insider newsletter is attached to this letter as a PDF file. To open the PDF file, please click here.
Between another series of high level executive appointments in travel retail and new airport openings, industry momentum continues to mount, especially in the U.S. and the Caribbean.
But first, TMI wishes a huge congratulations to fragrance distribution company Essence Corp as it embarks on its 35th year in business. The company marks the milestone with an elegant new logo.
In Memoriam: On a much sadder note, last week the industry noted the loss of two duty free/travel retail pioneers, both icons in their sector.
First, we mourn the passing of Generation founder Yngve Bia, who brought the concept of providing statistical quantification and analysis to duty free. TMI links to the full coverage of this Swedish gentle man from The Moodie Davitt Report, on page 1.
With great sadness we also announce the death of beauty specialist Jeff Arnold on Jan. 17. A 35-year veteran of Elizabeth Arden, Jeff helped create Arden’s duty free and travel retail business from 1987 to 2001, before spending the next 15 years successfully growing Arden’s mid-tier and mass fragrance business. See more details on page 1.
In a corporate move, Harper Dennis Hobbs has rebranded as Newmark HDH Limited, to better mesh with its corporate ownership. See more details on page 1.
CARIBBEAN ROUNDUP – The region continues to chalk up record tourism results. See the latest compilation on page 2
Puerto Rico reports record tourism results
St. Maarten welcomes a single day record of 30+K pax and crew
Jamaica’s tourism recovery outpaces estimates
Grenada wins Yachting Destination of the Year accolade
Barbados to host 2023 Caribbean Travel Marketplace
AIRPORTS
Billions of dollars of new airport infrastructure came online since the start of 2023, several after years, if not months of delay. Here are some highlights that TMI is spotlighting this week:
NEWARK. The Port Authority of NY & NJ opened its new $2.7 billion Terminal A at Newark Liberty International Airport. The state-of-the-art redevelopment includes nearly one million square feet of new terminal space and some 60 new retail and food & beverage concessions. Page 3.
NASHVILLE. Nashville International Airport (BNA) opened its spectacular new Grand Lobby to the public on Tuesday, a project that has been underway since 2017. The five-story lobby offers 24 security screening checkpoints and a dozen restaurant and retail shops, which are under the management of Fraport USA. BNA President and CEDO Doug Kreulen says that an additional $1.4 billion in further improvements will be made in the next phase. Page 4.
MELBOURNE. Melbourne Orlando Airport held a Ribbon Cutting ceremony on Jan. 25 to celebrate the opening of its renovated and expanded new terminal, along with the opening of the Core Plus Duty Free store, operated by Legacy Consulting Group. Some $72 million in improvements were made so that British holiday company TUI can use the airport as a gateway for its UK customers traveling from seven UK airports. See page 5.
PEOPLE/EXECUTIVE MOVES
German travel retail company Gebr. Heinemann has creating a consolidated department for compliance and corporate responsibility that will be headed by Saskia Möller, who will report to Co-CEO Raoul Spanger. Niels Runge, previously Senior Compliance Manager at Gebr. Heinemann, will become the new Head of Compliance. Page 5.
Starboard Cruise Services has promoted Lisa Kauffman, formerly the Chief Marketing Officer, to Chief Sales and Marketing Officer, and Mike Turek, formerly the Chief Commercial Officer, to Chief Data Analytics Officer. Both promotions are designed to accelerate future growth, innovation and enrich Starboard’s delivery of guest experiences. Details on page 6.
Starboard has also named jewelry industry veteran Caryl Capeci as a strategic advisor for Fine Jewelry, Luxury and Swiss categories, to bring a luxury approach to brand stewardship, among other goals. Page 7.
Edrington Global Travel Retail (GTR) has announced a number of changes to its Senior Leadership Team across its Marketing and Commercial functions.
Alessandro Felicani, who joins the company as Marketing Director, Edrington GTR, is a beauty specialist, most recently with Shiseido-owned brands NARS and Drunk Elephant in Asia Pacific and Korea.
Wilcy Wong joins the Edrington team in Singapore as Commercial Director, GTR, following 15 years at DFS in commercial and retail merchandising roles. She replaces Helen Wong, who has recently been promoted to the role of Managing Director, Edrington Taiwan, effective February 1st, 2023. Page 6.
SUPPLY SIDE
Gunpowder Irish Gin—which is enjoying huge success in the U.S. and globally – has renewed its contract with Duty Free Global for a further six years. Page 7.
Mixologist’s Garden, a range of freeze dried garnishes for cocktails, has launched a new website, as it rolls into the U.S. market for cruises, bars, caterers and suppliers, reports Garry Stasiulevicuis, Commercial Director for Travel Retail. See page 7.
