In a duty free industry where many airport stores carry mostly the same spirits no matter where you are in the world, Compass Box Blended Scotch Whisky offers something out of the ordinary, Maurice Doyle, Compass Box CEO tells Travel Markets Insider. “Compass Box exists to inspire moments of joy, by making the world of scotch whisky a more interesting place. When the brand was created, and still to some extent now, the world of scotch whisky can be a little conservative. It can be a little ‘samey.’ But we want to do something different, a bit more fun. And that’s been what the brand has really ..read more

Photograph by Christopher Ison Global cruise retailer Harding+ has revealed high end indulgent retail plans onboard Queen Anne, which will become Cunard’s largest ship when it launches in May. The 3000-passenger capacity Queen Anne is Cunard’s most ambitious ship to date, and the Harding+ curated range of brands, experiences and customer-insight led levels of detail will provide a retail experience to match, says the company. Interior of the Beauty Shop on board Queen Anne in Italy. Photograph by Christopher Ison Cabinet of Curiosities plays off Cunard heritage One centerpiece ..read more

Bacardi Global Travel Retail has appointed Darragh Ryan as Marketing Director with immediate effect. Based in London, he will lead the Bacardi marketing strategy across travel retail, a strategic brand-building channel for the company’s premium portfolio. Ryan will report to Leila Stansfield, Managing Director, Bacardi Global Travel. He most recently served as Marketing Director for Bacardi in India and previously led the company’s whisky portfolio across the Africa, Middle East and Asia (AMEA) Region. After four successful years building premium brands across global travel retail, Ignacio Va ..read more

Swiss luxury watchmaker TAG Heuer and cruise retailer Starboard have partnered with Carnival Cruise Line to debut TAG Heuer’s largest standalone boutique at sea onboard the new Carnival Jubilee. Evoking the brand’s modern spirit, the 553 square feet boutique features the newest retail concept. Developed by TAG Heuer’s in-house design and architecture team in Switzerland, the sleek interior exudes sophistication and elegance, harmoniously combining sleek modernity with elements that pay homage to the rich TAG Heuer’s motorsport heritage and history.  The new cutting-edge concept features p ..read more

Data recently released by the National Travel and Tourism Office (NTTO) show that in Calendar Year 2023 a total of 66.5 million international visitors* arrived in the United States, an increase of 15.7 million (+31%) from 50.8 million in 2022. This is still only 84% of the 79.4 million international arrivals in 2019. NTTO’s latest forecast expects international visitor arrivals to surpass pre-pandemic 2019 levels in 2025 with 85.2 million. New York was the most-visited state by overseas travelers in 2023, up from #2 in 2022, followed by Florida and California. New York City was ..read more

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) last week released global passenger demand data for March 2024, showing that total demand, measured in revenue passenger kilometers (RPKs), maintained a positive trajectory in March and was up 13.8% compared to March 2023. Total capacity, measured in available seat kilometers (ASK), was up 12.3% year-on-year. The March load factor was 82.0% (+1.0ppt compared to March 2023). International demand rose 18.9% compared to March 2023; capacity was up 18.8% year-on-year and the load factor improved to 81.6% (+0.1ppt on March 2023). Domestic dema ..read more

“I think we’re at a really exciting time for the Pernod Ricard Travel Retail business,” Greg Ford, General Manager Travel Retail Americas at Pernod Ricard tells Travel Markets Insider. TMI’s Michael Pasternak sat down with Ford and Aisling Tobin, Head of Marketing Travel Retail Americas, at the 2024 IAADFS Summit of the Americas, just days after Pernod Ricard launched a bespoke product for the region: Royal Salute 21 Year Old Miami Polo Edition. “For us this is an exciting moment, because long standing, it has been a challenge to get Americas focused product innovation for travel retail. It is ..read more

Ford (center) at The IAADFS Plenary Session with IAADFS President Rene Riedi, ARI Chief Operations and Business Development Officer Nuno Amaral; Greg Ford, General Manager, Travel Retail Americas at Pernod Ricard; Grant, General Manager, Puig Travel Retail Americas; and Markus Suter, Market Manager GTR – The Americas, Lindt. There was a quiet but industrious feeling at the 2024 IAADFS Summit of the Americas held in West Palm Beach, Florida, from April 14-17, with a vast majority of the exhibitors praising the quality and seriousness of the buyers in attendance. In addition to more buyers from ..read more

Duty Free Dynamics (DFD) has partnered with Timex Group Luxury Division to distribute the renowned fashion brand Philipp Plein in the watches segment, covering the territories of the Americas, Europe, and Africa in Travel Retail. Philipp Plein According to the company, Philipp Plein timepieces and jewels are inspired by form and luxury, epitomizing technical mastery and artistic brilliance. Innovative shapes, vibrant color palettes, and disruptive concepts are seamlessly integrated with iconic brand motifs like the Hexagon with PP logo and the striking $kull motif. Blending max ..read more

Beam Suntory today announced that it is rebranding to Suntory Global Spirits. The company says the new name reflects its evolution into a truly global leader across categories in spirits and Ready-To-Drink cocktails. The new name is introduced as the company marks 10 years of sustained, profitable growth since Suntory Holdings acquired Beam Inc. in 2014. The company has grown significantly over this time period –from a $2.5 billion-dollar company to a $5.5 billion-dollar “global spirits powerhouse” today. Its team has also expanded, now comprised of more than 6,000 employees around the wo ..read more