Lagardère Travel Retail Switzerland celebrates Swiss craftsmanship at Geneva Airport

(From left) Geneva Airport Head of Commercial Concessions Department Christelle Hutin; Geneva Airport Head of Commercial Concessions Sales Gaetan Zocco; Lagardère Travel Retail Switzerland CEO Pascal Le Droff; Lagardère Travel Retail Switzerland Marketing Puchasing Director Marie Lafille; and Lagardère Travel Retail Switzerland Operations Director Ekaterina Ievleva Najem cut the ribbon to the multi-sensory Place Centrale Swiss experience space
A golden HPP for Swiss spirit Studer complete with sculpted Matterhorn and edible 24-carat gold flakes

SWITZERLAND. Lagardère Travel Retail Switzerland, in partnership with Geneva Airport, has introduced a new initiative to highlight Swiss craftsmanship through immersive and interactive experiences.

This initiative provides travellers with an opportunity to engage with Swiss products and traditions, creating a memorable experience at the heart of the airport.

The Place Centrale area has been redesigned as a display space for Swiss products, with the experience extending into the Aelia Duty Free store.

The project aims to offer a multi-sensory journey featuring well-known Swiss brands such as Villars, Ricola and Lindt.

As reported, one of the key attractions is the Villars chocolate experience, where travellers can participate in a hands-on activity of ‘milking a cow’ led by a master chocolatier.

This experience showcases the role of Swiss milk in the production of chocolate, with variations in flavour based on the milk’s origin. Guests can also take home exclusive chocolates and gifts to mark their participation.

Ricola is offering an olfactory experience that allows travellers to participate in live demonstrations of candy-making using Swiss Alpine herbs.

(Above) The scent of freshly made Ricola enhances the experience, giving visitors an insight into the brand’s heritage and craftsmanship; (below) travellers can win Lindt chocolates by spinning the wheel of fortune 

Chocolate lovers also have the chance to sample the latest Lindt wafers, available in hazelnut, milk chocolate and dark chocolate. A Lindt maître chocolatier guides guests through tastings and offers information on the craft of chocolate making, with the help of a ‘wheel of fortune’ that selects samples for participants.

In addition to these activities, travellers are invited to visit the Aelia Duty Free store for a tasting of Swiss-made spirits. This section features Studer’s signature bottles, each containing a sculpted Matterhorn and edible 24-carat gold flakes, which dissolve on the palate.

Lagardère Travel Retail Switzerland Ekaterina Ievleva Najem ‘stepped into the shoes of a dairy farmer’ by milking the cow at the Villars Chocolate animation

Lagardère Travel Retail Purchasing Director Switzerland Marie Lafille commented: “We are excited to bring these experiences to life for travellers at Geneva Airport. It’s an opportunity for visitors to connect with the heritage of Swiss craftsmanship in an engaging way, while enjoying the atmosphere of the airport.”

This initiative forms part of Lagardère Travel Retail’s broader strategy to create engaging and value-driven experiences for travellers. ✈

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