Where once, the town was synonymous with the Wagnerian thunder of ironworks and coal mines, now you’re more likely to hear the soothingly sweet symphony of birdsong from 70 species of feathered friends.
Events
Battening down in Hong Kong as Super Typhoon Ragasa rages
When the Hong Kong Observatory issued the No. 10 Hurricane Signal, I reckon if I had stepped outside I wouldn’t have needed British Airways – I would simply have been blown to London.
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Miscellaneous
Time for the reign of cats and dogs in travel retail
Luxury brands, including Hermès, Louis Vuitton, Burberry, Celine, Gucci, MCM, Prada and Tiffany & Co. are all offering pet products, ranging from dog bowls to waterproof coats to cotton fleece hoodies. And yet in the whole travel retail world there is just a solitary pet accessories store.
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Travel
Bidding a fond and perhaps final farewell to my Whānau and my homeland
So good is the wine and food combo that I’ve almost forgotten last night’s catastrophic rugby result. I said almost.
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Travel
Nau mai, haere mai – welcome to the Land of the Long White Cloud
Over some succulent oysters and a pan-fried snapper so fresh it was practically flapping on the plate, washed down with fine Man O’ War Estate Chardonnay from the island and back-lit by a sublime beach, sea and sky view, it was an unforgettable moment in time.
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Miscellaneous
Welcome to The Discovery Channel, travel retail style
“We are reinforcing the ability of this channel to become a destination to discover newness… with things consumers do not yet find anywhere else.”
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Airports
How Pride Hub Egham offers an example to airports everywhere
If a conservative-leaning town in the south of England can house such a showcase for the LGBTQ+ community, then why not an airport?
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People
How the travel retail community made Sinead feel less alone
Cancer is an all-too common curse in our world and to see how many others in our industry have been touched by it and fought it either personally or through a family member made Sinead, I know, feel less alone.
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People
“Cancer may not believe in karma, but I will make my own” – A special message from another Moodie
I didn’t show emotion, I felt numb. I didn’t cry. I wouldn’t allow myself to think. I didn’t want to think about my husband and kids and what their future would be. I couldn’t let my mind go there.
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Events
The mysterious case of the disappearing Travel Retail Weekly
To my great surprise, my missive prompted the following reply: “I recently became aware that what I did constitutes a serious ethical lapse, and I take full responsibility for my actions. The article was prepared by AI and it did not notify me of the sources.”
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Airports
Special Chai Time in Bengaluru
For if an airport is to be a showcase for a city’s or nation’s culture, should it not also be a showcase for their values?
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Events
Of Wipha, woes and postponed Wonders
At least I was better off than a fellow passenger, a mother travelling with several family members. “How many bags are you missing Ma’am?” “Eleven.”
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Travel
FAB moments in Barcelona, mashie Ps in Ystradgynlais
Ystradgynlais (Welsh for ‘vale of the river Cynlais’) is easier to find (at the northeastern end of the Swansea Valley ) than it is to pronounce. But after a good dram or two of the outstanding local whisky Penderyn, I’ve just about got the hang of it.