The second edition of AirDynamic brought together the community of boutique managers, local market, and global travel retail in aim to drive operational excellence and foster collaboration within the interconnected airport ecosystem. Over 30 participants took part in the 2-day meeting; via engaging presentations, immersive workshops and interactive discussions, all participants left with valuable insights and ideas to drive towards the same goal as a part of the ONE strategy in the ever-evolving travel retail business.

Luxury retailers are leaning into international airports as an opportunity to meet luxury buyers – a move that underscores a global appetite for luxury retail experiences that resonate with many generations of travelers. Luxury expansion can be seen across North American airports and in Europe, and is seen as an opportunity to connect with the younger generation of luxury buyers en route to their destinations.

Red Sea Global (RSG) will develop a new Four Seasons resort at Amaala, a regenerative tourism destination in Saudi Arabia. The Four Seasons Resort and Residences Amaala at Triple Bay will offer luxury wellness tourism, featuring rooms, suites, villas with private pools, and branded residential villas. The resort will prioritize sustainability and well-being, with lush landscapes, a luxury spa, personalized itineraries, and a collaboration with celebrity fitness trainer Harley Pasternak.

The European tourism industry is experiencing a strong recovery in the first quarter of 2024, with foreign tourist arrivals and nights surpassing 2019 levels. The recovery is driven by strong intra-regional travel from countries like Germany, France, Italy, and the Netherlands, as well as demand from the US. However, there are disparities in the recovery across regions, with Southern Europe and Nordic countries leading the way while Baltic countries lag behind. Sporting events like the Paris Olympics and Euros 2024 are expected to further drive tourism demand in France and Germany.

Singapore will introduce a levy on travelers departing from Changi and Seletar airports in an effort to promote the use of sustainable fuel in commercial airliners. The levy, which will come into effect in 2026, will range from S$3 to S$16 and the collected fees will be used to purchase sustainable fuel. This move has received mixed responses from the public, highlighting the need for a more inclusive and collaborative approach to address the climate crisis.

Offline business continued to recover in the first quarter for China Tourism Group Duty Free Corporation (China Tourism Group), parent company of travel retailer China Duty Free Group (CDFG). As the inbound and outbound duty-free business further recovered, the proportion of offline business of the company continuously rebounded, and the product sales structure was optimized.

Chinese tourists are returning to international travel in significant numbers. China’s duty-free landscape has shifted from airport-based stores to in-city complexes, driven by the government’s efforts to boost domestic tourism. Despite this, airport retail can still compete by offering unique, value-added experiences and catering to high-end clientele, such as Chinese tourists who are known for luxury purchases.

Dubai has begun construction on a $35 billion airport terminal that will be the largest in the world, with a capacity for 260 million passengers. The new terminal, located at the Al Maktoum International Airport, will be five times the size of the current Dubai International Airport. All operations at Dubai International Airport will eventually be transferred to the new terminal.