IAADFS subscribes to m1nd-set data tool as it assesses path to recovery

NORTH & CENTRAL AMERICA/CARIBBEAN. The International Association of Airport and Duty Free Stores (IAADFS) has subscribed to the B1S Recovery Monitor, a service provided to trade associations on a complimentary basis by Swiss research agency m1nd-set.

The data for the quarterly monitor is collated within m1nd-set’s traffic analysis and forecast tool, Business 1ntelligence Service (B1S). The system combines the data with shopper insights to provide an overview of current and forecast shopper behaviour by region, country and airport.

Features of the B1S Recovery Monitor also include a summary of the key air traffic and relevant shopper trends for the top nationalities travelling through their respective regions.

There could be a consistently robust recovery for North American air traffic in 2021 and 2022, according to m1nd-set data

The Q1 report for the region covered by IAADFS – North and Central America, and the Caribbean – revealed that international departures from the region fell by more than -74.9% in 2020, measured against 2019. This represented a drop from 165 million passengers to 41 million across last year in North America. Meanwhile, in Central America and the Caribbean, the decline was moderately less steep, with traffic falling by -68% from 116 million to 37 million passengers.

m1nd-set forecasts that recovery will be consistently robust across both regions, with international departures growing by +63% and +61% in 2021 and 2022 respectively in North America, and +58% and +57% in each year respectively in Central America and the Caribbean against the COVID-19 hit 2020 figures.

Pre-COVID levels will be attained in 2023 in Central America and the Caribbean according to m1nd-set’s forecast, with international passengers predicted to surpass the level of 2019 by more than 5 million (121.4 million in 2023 vs 115.6 million).

In North America however, 2023 international departures could fall more than 20 million short of the 165 million international departures recorded in 2019 according to the data generated.

M1nd-set’s data suggests that six out of ten shoppers will try and test products in-store after travel restrictions are lifted

The B1S Recovery Monitor has also provided data on post-COVID travel and shopping behaviour intentions across North America. M1nd-set revealed that less than a quarter of travellers from the region say they plan to travel again immediately after restrictions are lifted.

Meanwhile, 57% plan to shop more online than they did prior to COVID, according to m1nd-set’s data. The researcher also said that more than a third (36%) will spend more time planning for the next international trip.

M1nd-set also produced data on traveller interaction with staff in airport shops which reveals that just under half (49%) of shoppers say they will interact with sales staff without being concerned about taking precautions. However, more than six out of ten shoppers said they will try and test products again in the stores as usual.

IAADFS President & CEO Michael Payne, whose organisation is partnering with ASUTIL and The Moodie Davitt Report for the upcoming Summit of the Americas event (see below), said: “Access to key traffic trends and behaviour information is going to be vital to all our members. To have this data provided through this partnership on a complimentary basis from m1nd-set, for Canada, the United States, Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean, is very valuable to our members and highly appreciated.”

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