Year in Review: Blogs
Blogs of the Year
The Moodie Blog was launched in 2006, travel retail’s first Blog and since inception it has been one of our most popular features, writes Martin Moodie. In The Moodie Blog, I like to get ‘up close and personal in travel retail’ as the tagline has it. I try to bring a personal perspective – whether it be humorous, poignant or, if necessary, critical – to my experiences and those of others. Here, in no particular order, are some of my favourites – one for each month with a Christmas bonus 13th thrown in – from a year where I truly became that rarest of birds, a flying Kiwi again.
December
Talking Heads and talking points. Road to Nowhere and Flights to Nowhere. I’ve been everywhere, man and it’s a long journey home. There are some great contenders for a travel retail anthem.
November
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.
October
“Get Shiseido on the line. Two bottles down and we’re still not finished with him…”
September
“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.”
September
Matilda the hen’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.
August
Tourists, so often lost in their own pleasure zones, tend to be unaware of what their presence can mean to regional economies. In contrast, local people are profoundly aware of it.
July
In a battle between a concrete mixer truck and a Bangkok cab, there can be only one winner. The collision duly delivered that sudden sickening combination of a dull thud and a rasping metallic symphony that any driver who has been in an accident will recognise.
June
When the definitive history of airport dining is written, the breakthrough influence of the original Caviar House Seafood Bar at Heathrow may be viewed as the seminal moment that food quality and consumer satisfaction first got a look in.
May
He has captained the ship through the most tumultuous, sustained and severe storm in our industry’s history. He has done it with a trademark determination and a remarkable calm. Al Mal Tiempo, Buena Cara – when the going gets tough, the tough get going.
April
The Moodie Davitt Report has majority control of the new media entity, which also embraces Duty-Free News International, Frontier, Travel Retail Business, Travel Markets Insider and Global Travel Retail Magazine. To save space and costs, the new title will be known by the simple acronym TMDRDFNIFTRBTMI>RM.com for short (but not for long).
March
Soon afterwards, a gorgeously green World Cucumber Day full and fruity Hendrick’s gin tapestry dazzled readers, who could have been forgiven for not knowing whether to drink or read us.
February
The Moodie Davitt Asia Bureau – and its lighthouse keeper? Simple, we and I are staying. Not only do I love it here but I believe in the future of Hong Kong. While I’m as frustrated as anyone by the current situation and particularly the tough post-arrivals hotel quarantine requirements that are playing havoc with my personal and professional travel needs, Hong Kong – like China itself – is all about the long term. Better days will come here.
January
Meanwhile, as Captain of the good ship Moodie Davitt, I’ll continue trying to guide her through these stormy waters and some day soon, I hope, into a safe harbour. I admit there are many times over the past two years that I have feared for the safety of my ship, though I have never felt like abandoning it or mothballing it. This year, very much intact, the vessel turns 20, a landmark I would have gladly accepted when I launched her in 2002. Our celebrations will be perhaps more muted than planned but we will celebrate nonetheless. Let 2022, the Year of the Tiger, roar.
The Moodie Davitt eZine Issue 318 | 30 December 2022
The Moodie Davitt eZine is published 14 times per year by The Moodie Davitt Report (Moodie International Ltd).
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