Page 1 - Travel Markets Insider October 2021 Final

Special Issue
TFWA
World Exhibition
October 2021

Is recovery ahead as travel markets begin to open?
INSIDE INSIDER

When borders closed and
travel ground to a halt in 2020, I
doubt anyone, anywhere, could
have fathomed the profound
impact the pandemic would have
on our industries and our lives.
It is only recently, some 20
months since we first heard the International Shoppes celebrates 70
years.
unbelievable news that countries
were shutting their borders, that
major travel markets like the
United States, Canada, and parts
of Latin America are opening for
non-essential visitors, bringing
hope that recovery may be on the
way.
At a webinar hosted by
the International Association of
Airport and Duty Free Stores
earlier this month, all the
speakers reiterated there is huge This stunning view of the famed Croisette in Cannes was taken during the last
TFWA World Exhibition in 2019. Photo by Michael Pasternak.
pent-up demand for travel as
people locked down for more than It’s a Silver Anniversary for Tania and
a year crave new experiences. Happy Silver Anniversary to just finished meeting in Miami at Robert Bassan’s Tairo International.
And shopping seems to be part of Robert and Tania Bassan of Tairo the Seatrade Global event, which
the experience they are craving, International, who have built last year had also been cancelled
as those travel retailers who are their family-owned distribution due to travel restrictions. While
open report higher spend levels company into one of the most attendance was much lower than
than normally seen. respected entities in the Caribbean in the past—and health protocols
And there are some and Mexican duty free markets. abounded – excitement and
positives. Travel Markets The two reminisce over the past anticipation ran high. Cruise
Insider is delighted and much 25 years with TMI, revealing how lines—which were totally shut Rouge Duty Free expands in St. Croix
honored to be spotlighting two their customers have become part down for so long – are expecting (shown) and St. Maarten.
major milestone celebrations of their extended family. a strong recovery (with many
in the industry in the Americas. In more positives, growing opportunities for retail).
International Shoppes – one of powerhouse Rouge Duty Free, We can expect nothing less
the very first duty free shops another Caribbean retailer, has for the rest of travel retail. See
in a New York airport – is bucked the tide, expanding you all soon – either virtually
celebrating its 70th anniversary rather than retreating during the at the Moodie Davitt Virtual
this year. This accomplishment shutdowns. And Essence Corp. TR Expo or on the Croisette in
is even more momentous when talks about how opening new duty Cannes.
you realize the company is a free doors on the Brazilian border The Moodie Davitt Virtual TR Expo
returns for second year with many
partnership between two families has helped them weather the enhancements.
that has endured, and prospered, slowdown. Stay well,
down through three generations. While some of us are getting Lois Pasternak,
Congratulations to the ready to go to Cannes for one Editor/Publisher Plus Products-People-Places
Greenbaum and Halpern families of the first physical industry The Insider View
and best wishes for the next 70! gatherings, the cruise sector has
1 October 2021