The Trinity Forum was back for the first time since those halcyon days of late October 2019 in Doha, Qatar. Little did we realise amid the euphoria of that event that we would not meet again for so long.
Airports
A journey to destination Hong Kong without leaving the airport
With most of the airport’s shops and restaurants closed through much of the pandemic, you could be forgiven for thinking the airport’s commercial and retail teams have been in holding mode. You could not be more wrong.
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Events
Showing the Cannes-do spirit
“I’ve a blue dress on so you can recognise me.” Both of us were there on time, albeit 50 metres apart, Pam thinking she had been stood up. Me? You guessed it. Chatting away to a bemused woman in a blue dress. Who turned out not to be running retail at Gatwick Airport but was impressed that I knew so much about it…
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Travel
The day the Shiseido nearly ran out
“Get Shiseido on the line. Two bottles down and we’re still not finished with him…”
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Travel
Of Irish jigs, Triple Salchows and an end to Hong Kong hotel quarantine
In the face of inevitable and glittering industry acknowledgements Martin, you will always be more famous as the guy that did the Triple Salchow off the hotel bed during lockdown.
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Quirky
Celebrating 20 years as The Muffy Report is born for a day
Matilda’s name (and I’m not making this up) was taken from Australia’s beloved folk song ‘Waltzing Matilda’, a result of her penchant for stepping waltz-like from side to side.
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Quirky
Three RATS and a full moon in Hong Kong
Yesterday as I was packing to go and checking all the quarantine room drawers for my belongings, I noticed the room safe for the first time. If only I had spotted it earlier I may not have stolen my own passport.
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Travel
No points to the Four Points Sheraton, top points to Qatar Airways, and time to bring out the Brancott
To maintain the same rigid 14-day cancellation policy from the days when quarantine room demand far exceeded supply is outrageous.
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People
Catching up with travel retail TRI-PODs, Kiwis and Kreols in Dubai
Jacqui and I compared our life journeys from New Zealand to where we are today. Journeys from the bottom of the earth that have, we hope, a long way to run yet.
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Airports
Normal service resumes in Dubai
I may, just may, about to become the face of ‘the website that never slumps’.
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Airports
Sunrise and sunset over Doha and on from Edinburgh to Dubai
What I like most perhaps about the store is its non-formulaic approach. No semi-forced walkthrough here, you can go off-piste just as much as you want with a surprise in the form of a travel retail-exclusive or newcomer at almost every turn.
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Travel
Destination Doha once more as one jewel remains wrapped while another is set to sparkle
I’ve been travelling so much that when I visited my dentist on Friday, I actually (and I swear this is true) went to fasten my seat belt as I sat in my chair. Given my aversion to dentists and what followed, I probably should have.
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Airports
Building a showcase for South Africa at Johannesburg Airport
Travel retail, already a fine showcase at OR Tambo, can be a gateway to deeper knowledge and wider engagement with the best that South Africa has to offer.