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TOP NEWS
TGA Postpones The Travel Goods Show
TGA
In light of recent conversations with members of the TGA community, the rapidly-spreading Omicron COVID variant, related supply-chain and staffing issues, and travel restrictions, the TGA Board of Directors has decided to postpone the 74th Travel Goods Show — previously scheduled for February 27–March 1, 2022 — until 2023. TGA Chairman of the Board Cliff Ensley states, “Our industry faces significant challenges right now, and the decision to postpone The Travel Goods Show this year was not an easy one. We do so in the best interests of our exhibitors and attendees. As the travel goods industry rebuilds, so will our Show. Our focus remains on the health, safety, and profitability of our members and partners at all times.” In the meantime, TGA will continue to offer product-sourcing resources for retailers via its digital publication, Travel Goods Magazine, and the HUB, its online marketplace. READ MORE
Shipping Crisis Update — FMC Steps Up and New Fees Threatened/Imposed/Delayed as Situation Deteriorates
TGA
On Jan. 10, the Ports of LA/Long Beach again delayed the so-called “super demurrage” fee on long-standing import containers on the ports, citing a 45% reduction in those containers, the same decline the ports have cited off and on for the last two months. Meanwhile, 5 of 6 terminals at the Port of Long Beach are now imposing their own “Temporary Storage Charge” on long-standing containers on docks. And, on Dec. 30, the Port of Los Angeles announced that, effective Jan. 30, the port would start charging carriers $100/day for any empty container left on docks for more than 9 days. TGA believes carriers will pass on any fees to you, the shipper, and will respond to the new empty container fee by further restricting our ability to return empty containers. In good news, on Dec. 30, the Federal Trade Commission (FMC) launched an investigation into ocean carrier Wan Hai, citing dozens of instances where Wan Hai charged detention fees while providing shippers no way to return empty containers. Meanwhile, at least 102 ships are waiting at anchor to enter the Ports of LA/Long Beach, with one estimate showing as many as 166 ships queueing up to enter the ports.
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As Ningbo Slowly Recovers, COVID Ripples Reach Ports of Tianjin and Shenzhen
THE LOADSTAR
The port of Ningbo has largely recovered from its latest COVID disruption, but the risk of shipping delays from China has already spread to Tianjin and Shenzhen. In an update yesterday, Maersk said: “Container gate operations have been recovered completely at Ningbo.” However, forwarders have reported severe disruption to landside operations, which are taking longer to recover. READ MORE
Omicron Devastates Services, Schools, Travel as Workers Are Sick or in Quarantine
CNN
As the Omicron variant sweeps the nation, it’s disrupting everything from garbage collection and emergency services, schools and travel as employees are out sick or in quarantine. In New York, trash is going uncollected, and three subway lines are closed because so many workers are out sick. More than 700,000 new COVID-19 cases a day are reported on average across the nation as the Omicron variant spreads like wildfire, and it’s not going to get better soon, health experts and economists said. READ MORE
The World’s Most Powerful Passports for 2022
CNN
Global citizenship and residence advisory firm Henley & Partners has released its quarterly report on the world’s most desirable passports. Read more to find out which passport offers the most access in 2022. READ MORE
Omicron Throws Travel for a Loop Once Again
CNET
For some, 2021 was a year of reunions. After COVID-19 limited people to seeing faraway friends and family on computer screens through 2020, vaccinations and loosening travel restrictions gave hope of visiting loved ones in person at last. For others, 2021 was a year of false starts and disappointments. The rise of the omicron variant serves as a stark reminder that the COVID-19 pandemic isn’t over. READ MORE
Finding the Right Balance — and Flexibility — in Your Leadership Style
HARVARD BUSINESS REVIEW
It’s an outdated idea that a leader should adopt a fixed leadership style that’s agnostic to the specific context in which he or she is operating. A single approach to leadership is not going to meet the myriad of challenges that today’s leaders face. Thus, rather than perfecting a “leadership sweet spot,” a leader needs to develop and broaden his or her “leadership sweet range.” The wider this range becomes, the more effective or versatile the leader will be. The authors identify seven core tensions between traditional and emerging leadership approaches and offer strategies for leaders looking to broaden their range. READ MORE
Which Social Media Platform Has the Best Ads?
TECH ACUTE
Social media marketing has been a revolutionary force in business over the last decade. However, determining which platform offers the best advertising options for organizations of all sizes is difficult without first analyzing how each platform operates differently. The following will explore four major social media platforms — Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Snapchat — with a particular emphasis on their advertising features. READ MORE
Cases Rise, Criticism Mounts, but Ships Keep Cruising
THE NEW YORK TIMES
One day after the C.D.C. advised against all travel on cruise ships, thousands of cruisers partied like it was 2019. But worries about onboard policies — and frustration over quarantines — are rising. READ MORE
The Five Biggest Retail Tech Trends in 2022
FORBES
It’s clear that even in 2022, customers still want in-person retail, particularly when it can be augmented with technology to create new experiences and match the convenience factor of online shopping. Creating hybrid shopping experiences like “buy-online-pickup-in-store” and developing omnichannel capabilities is the name of the game now. Here are predictions for the hottest trends in shopping and retail over the next 12 months. READ MORE
Omicron Causes Sharp Drop in Airline Ticket Sales: IATA
TECH EXPLORE
Airline ticket sales have fallen sharply since the end of 2021, the International Air Transport Association (IATA) said this week, blaming governments for having “over-reacted” to the Omicron COVID variant by closing borders. READ MORE
The Most Overlooked Retail Trends of 2021
RETAIL BREW
Last week, we reminisced on the year’s most overhyped trends. But what about the ones that were under the radar? After 12 months, it’s time they get their due. Here are the most overlooked retail trends of 2021, according to retail experts and insiders. READ MORE
TRENDING ARTICLES
Missed last week’s issue? See which articles your colleagues read most.
- Refer a Member — It’s a Win-Win (TGA)
- The Top Four Leadership Trends Organizations Need to Follow in 2022 (FORBES)
- COVID: Pre-Departure Travel Tests to Be Scrapped (BBC)
- This Travel Company Will Send You on a Free Voluntourism Trip (TRAVEL PULSE)
- Omicron Variant Likely to Fuel Inflation, As Americans Keep Shopping Rather Than Dining Out and Traveling, Retail Trade Group Economist Says (CNBC)