Which airline could keep me connected for longest and with the best line speed? Cathay won hands down. I suspect I am not the only travel retail executive deciding that connectivity is key to choice of carrier.
Events
Bridging the divide to Macau; opening in style at the Venetian; and feeling the pain in Hong Kong
Hong Kong might represent a tourist ghost town at present but Macau is proving relatively resilient to the escalating crisis faced by its near neighbour.
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Airports
The wonderful story of Anushree, a (formerly) unsung hero at Bengaluru Airport
If you watch one video of our industry this year, I suggest you make it this one.
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Airports
A very Grand Cru, a very big elephant in the room, and a very sweet Peranakan Love Story
The retailer’s decision not to bid on the Changi liquor & tobacco concession – which it has held unbroken since 1980 – came as a shellshock to everyone. Many tears were shed. The DFS team here is like family.
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Travel
Discovering ‘the bouquet that pervades across China‘
As I step onto my hotel balcony, the view is as intoxicating as the Moutai aroma that fills the air. “The bouquet pervades across China and Moutai is still the best,” runs an old adage.
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Airlines
Bound for Baiju country and the spirit of China
No time for movies or sleep then, though I may catch a nap at the Cathay Pacific lounge at HKIA. I get into Maotai in China’s Guizhou province late tonight, having flown back on myself. I might need a shot of Kweichow Moutai sooner than I had planned.
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Airports
Catching up with Severino Pušić, travel retail’s low-profile high achiever
Severino is a charismatic but distinctly low-key man. His word is his bond and he believes passionately in his principles, in his company and in his people.
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Airports
Tales of transformation and two-storey grandeur in Singapore
The Louis Vuitton store in T3 is a brilliant combination of a great brand proposition, an instagrammable experience and a thrilling affirmation of Changi Airport’s justifiably renowned shopping offer.
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Airports
All quiet on the eastern front
As always at HKIA there are plenty of ‘Opening Soon’ hoardings, such as the ones for Cartier and Miu Miu pictured. I love the way that Airport Authority Hong Kong never sees its job as done and constantly refreshes its retail and food & beverage offer.
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Travel
Welcoming The Sound of Silence
How long since you last visited a library? I recommend it wholeheartedly. It’s as restorative as a 90-minute spa, a walk in the forest, a plunge into cool alpine lake waters.
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Miscellaneous
Uneasy calm in Hong Kong – but for how long?
“Finding an exit strategy is almost always the most difficult part of anti-government mobilisation, and it remains unclear how the spiral of violence can be halted now.”
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Travel
Travel Retail Airways: Hitting heavy turbulence
I may just have to hunker down in Chiang Mai for a while and have a few nice Scotches with my new equine friend.
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Travel
Remembering when the dragonflies skimmed the grass
A perfect storm has hit tourism here – intense competition from rival Asian tourist destinations, a high Thai Baht, the worsening US-China trade wars and the sustained adverse publicity from the Phuket boat tragedy in July 2018.