Essential Communications PR

CALL FOR INDUSTRY SUPPORT! The donation page is now live for the Travel Retail Consortium’s (TRC) 2025 ‘Walk for a Cure’ events in aid of Alzheimer's Research UK’s.  As its nominated charity for this year, the TRC’s main fund-raising activity will be two charity walks in September 2025, with all proceeds funding life-changing dementia research.  Our managing director Row Holland has committed to taking on the full 42k (26 mile) challenge at the Peak District walk on September 13, followed by the 21k Cotswolds walk on September 20. "I'm a keen walker but 42k is quite a challenge," she says. "However it's such a worthwhile cause and I'm determined to do it! Thanks to everyone who has supported me so far - but please keep the donations coming as the goal is to raise £18,000. This would fund a PHD research student for a year. “It’s a great deal of money but we are really hopeful that the travel retail industry – plus friends and family of the individuals taking part – will come together and help us to raise our target,” adds TRC chair Sharon Edwards Smith. “The page has only just gone live, and we’ve already almost reached £2,000, so I’m really hopeful that we will reach our goal by September.” Donations can be made direct to the TRC page on this link:  https://lnkd.in/e4TpJ3yM  (important, please scroll down to orange Donate to Travel Retail Consortium button) or to individuals taking part who may contact industry colleagues direct. ALL donations (whether to the TRC or individuals) go into the central Consortium fund-raising pot. Members of the industry are also invited to take part in one of the walks and help fund-raise towards the total.  There’s a distance to suit everyone, whether a seasoned walker or a beginner.  Choose from 13, 21 or 42k in the Peak District or 6, 21 or 34k in the Cotswolds. Those interested in taking part should email Julie Hawkins: julie@cotivision.com or Rebecca Calver: beccicalver@hatch.co.uk for a Step By Step guide to registering. #charity #fundraising #walkforacure  

Rémy Cointreau-owned Bruichladdich Distillery Company has unveiled a new global travel retail exclusive single malt whisky: Bruichladdich Organic Barley 16 Aged Years. Following on from the success of last year’s #NotYourClassicWhisky activation programme for The Bruichladdich Twenty One and The Classic Laddie Sherry Cask Edition, the latest expression from the progressive Islay-based distillery made its channel debut earlier this month in Singapore Changi Airport Group Airport, in partnership with Lotte Duty Free Singapore, as part of a two-month exclusive listing period. Read all about in on the link below. Fida Bou Chabke Alice Hoffmann Dawn Lim The Moodie Davitt Report https://lnkd.in/e8KpakGc

There are just a couple of weeks to go before the second Asia Pacific Travel Retail Association (APTRA) Conference in Mumbai and we're delighted to see that it's a sell out! Essential Communications PR will be represented at the Conference by Ben Holland this year, so do look out for him there if you're looking for any specialised TRPR assistance! Our clients Suntory Global Spirits and Whyte & Mackay are both Gold partners, underscoring the strategic importance of the Indian traveller and this market’s potential for growth to the liquor sector. Do also note that Women in Travel Retail+ will be holding a gathering during the Conference on Monday 7th April from 5-6pm. More details to follow. #india #spirits #singlemalts Clarisse Daniels Ashish Gandham Anne Kavanagh Gerry Munday Sarah Branquinho Erin Lillis

Next month sees the second Asia Pacific Travel Retail Association conference taking place in Mumbai. We're delighted that Clarisse Daniels will be back on stage again this year alongside Whyte & Mackay's Gold partner sponsorship. "“Whyte & Mackay continues to experience significant and category-leading growth in the Middle East and India, which is underpinned by Indian consumers seeking high-quality and great-tasting single malts," says Daniels. “However, we know that what brought us this far, won’t take us to the next level. We are therefore continuing to invest in understanding the consumer journey, building shopper and category insights, and obtaining real clarity about how best to optimise them.We recognise that our best route to growth is to grow the whole category, and we want to share our thoughts on the high value spirit opportunity – and the consumers and shoppers it serves.” #india #spirits #singlemalt https://lnkd.in/e_VtQhfG

A nice sense of place launch here from our client Rémy Cointreau Global Travel Retail, which is promoting Westland American Single Malt Whiskey at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport in collaboration with Avolta. Westland is a pioneer in the American single malt whiskey category, distilling its whiskies in Seattle’s SoDo district. As the nearest major travel hub to the Westland Distillery, Sea-Tac AIrport serves as a strategic launch location, underscoring Rémy Cointreau’s commitment to developing its premium spirits offering in the region. Westland American Single Malt Whiskey made its global travel retail debut last year, launching initially in New York JFK Terminal 1 and Houston George Bush Intercontinental Terminal D, followed by further expansions in JFK Terminal 4, San Francisco International, and Los Angeles Tom Bradley International Terminal in partnership with DFS Group. Read more here: https://lnkd.in/eTEsnEZ8 #travelretail #whiskey #spirits #dutyfree Jason Moore Fida Bou Chabke Ian McLernon

Our client KURATE INTERNATIONAL LTD is making strides in the cruise and ferry sector. Currently listed with retailers including Harding+, Starboard, DFDS and Stena Line, the jewellery brand has secured some exciting new partnerships to be announced in due course. Full story on Global Travel Retail Magazine Sharon Edwards Smith Leanne Selfridge #jewellery #travelretail #cruise #ferry #newbusiness https://lnkd.in/eycnsXqw

Our client Rémy Cointreau has introduced its Westland American Single Malt Whiskey to Seattle Tacoma-International Airport (Port of Seattle), in partnership with Avolta. As the home of Westland Distillery, the Seattle opening marks a key milestone for Westland in the travel retail channel, and highlights both Rémy Cointreau’s ambitions for the brand in the region, and its commitment to growing its portfolio of exceptional spirits. In a further exciting development, Westland has partnered with Holland America Line to secure its debut cruise listing, starting with the company’s Alaskan itinerary. A unique Westland Single Cask bottling will be available to purchase onboard, alongside Westland Flagship. A second, exclusive Single Cask whiskey will be available on all of Holland America’s Caribbean ships. Elsewhere in US travel retail, at present the product focus is centred around Westland Flagship, a DFS Group-exclusive Single Cask and Colere 4, in line with the brand’s vision to delight travellers as they explore new possibilities within the malt whiskey category. Westland Managing Director Jason Moore commented: “Westland is thrilled to launch its American Single Malt in Seattle Tacoma-International Airport, and onboard Holland America, allowing for more people globally to savour the iconic whiskey. We are excited to embark on this journey of delivering exceptional spirits to more discerning customers worldwide, setting a new standard for the duty-free shopping experience.” #Whiskey #AmericanWhiskey #Westland #TravelRetail #DutyFree #BCorp #Sustainability Alice Hoffmann GTR Magazine & GTR+ Hibah Noor Click below to read more:

Spring has (almost!) sprung, and what better way to celebrate than with our client Molton Brown's new Bluebell & Wild Strawberry fragrance, designed to evoke the ephemeral peak of the new season. The latest addition to the brand's pioneering Artists of Note series, the fragrance launch is being supported throughout March and April with a high-profile advertising wall campaign across all four terminals at London Heathrow Airport. Bluebell & Wild Strawberry was created by nose Véronique Nyberg - Tropini; emerging shoe designer Ancuta Sarca then brought the fragrance concept to life via a pair of deadstock velvet-and-leather mules that perfectly capture the energy, colour and contrasts of spring and the scent. “Bluebell & Wild Strawberry represents a significant new milestone for Molton Brown, as the first new fragrance to be launched since our revamped creative direction and New Brand World was unveiled last year,” commented Rosie Colleypriest (née Cook), Molton Brown Associate Director Global Travel Retail. “I’m delighted to be offering our valued travelling consumers the opportunity to discover this exceptional new scent, which is perfect for spring.” #Fragrance #PrestigeFragrance #MoltonBrown #Bluebell #BluebellAndWildStrawberry #ArtistsOfNote #TravelRetail #AirportActivations #Airports #DutyFree Crystal Atkins Helen Lewis Hannah Tan The Moodie Davitt Report Read more 👇

Taking Spirits to New Heights! ✈️🍸 What an incredible time at the easyJet Sky High Awards! 🌟 Halewood Artisanal Spirits was proud to be part of this fantastic event at Center Parcs Parks from March 12 to 14 where Johnny Neill, Founder of Whitley Neill, and GTR director Eamon Prunty led an exclusive masterclass for 240 of easyJet’s top crew. They dived into the world of Whitley Neill Rhubarb & Ginger Gin and Dead Man’s Fingers Spiced Rum, both available onboard in 1L bottles and 5cl miniatures. 🥃✈️ Following the masterclass, the pair enjoyed an amazing trade show and a spectacular gala dinner—celebrating partnerships, premium spirits, and the best in aviation hospitality. A huge thank you to easyJet for hosting such a well-organized and engaging event! Here’s to elevating the inflight experience with great spirits! 🛫🍹 Eamon Prunty Johnny Neill #HalewoodArtisanalSpirits #WhitleyNeill #DeadMansFingers #easyJet #SkyHighAwards #InflightDrinks #SpiritsOnboard #PremiumDrinks #AviationHospitality

Great to see the latest Chinese traveller insights from our client China Trading Desk shared today on Global Travel Retail Magazine, authored by Subramania Bhatt: 🔥 ❄️ Fire and Ice Escapes: the dual domestic travel trend The allure of both winter wonderlands and tropical retreats defined travel behaviour during this year’s Lunar New Year holiday. A snow tourism boom is gathering pace as ski resorts like Yabuli (Heilongjiang) and Altay (Xinjiang) remained hotspots, fuelled by the rising popularity of winter sports post-Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics. Meanwhile cold escapes to warmer climates is a key seasonal travel trend, still seeing increasing numbers with travellers flocking southwards to escape the cold. Destinations like Hainan, Guangxi, and Yunnan saw record footfalls, offering tropical beaches and vibrant cultural experiences. Discovering cultural or heritage events, such as night-time festivals and light shows are increasingly important for this cohort of travelers. Multi-sensory events such as the Pingyao Shengjing Light Show (Shanxi) or the Fish Lantern Night Display in Huangshan (Anhui) were popular destinations for their traditional art and modern aesthetics that were featured on social media, appealing for their storytelling and vibrant illuminations. https://lnkd.in/enMe4dNf #China #travel #tourism #trends #LunarNewYear