USA. A new retail and food & beverage offer at Melbourne Orlando International Airport in Central Florida is taking shape, as the regional travel hub gets set for the grand opening of its renovated international terminal at the end of January.
An ambitious expansion and upgrade of the airport is in progress, as it prepares for increased traffic from TUI, the UK holiday company and airline. TUI will be using the airport as a gateway for customers travelling to Central Florida from seven UK airports starting next March.
The airport currently supports flights from Delta Air Lines and American Airlines, with more new carriers expected to be added this year.
Canadian low-cost airline Sunwing will commence flights from this base in Autumn 2023 and Jetlines begins a non-stop service to Canada starting next month.
Planned improvements at Melbourne Orlando International include the introduction of more retail and F&B concessions and a VIP lounge, alongside upgrades to the departures and security zones and other operational areas.
Among the key retailers to have recently commenced operations at Melbourne Orlando International are Core Plus Duty Free, supported by its partners Wise Precision Business Consulting, JES Travel Retail and TRBizz.
F&B concessionaire The Metz Culinary Management Group is also operating at the airport.
Core Plus Duty Free, led by CEO and Founder Brittany Williams Leverett, is introducing a number of travel retail-exclusive lines. They include Domestic Faux Nail Icon Tip Beauty; Oneiro eco-friendly travel essentials; The Relax Shot by Spa Tonics; patented Blue Light and Computer Glasses from Barner; and an anti-mosquito bug watch from Hello Bug Co.
The lineup of exclusive to Melbourne Orlando International products to be introduced by Core Plus will also include the Ventuno Luxury Experience Box. The product features a virtual reality viewer which gives the traveller the opportunity to experience the beauty and luxury of Italy without having to be there.
Brittany Williams Leverett said: “I am so proud to have opened Core Plus Duty Free in Melbourne Orlando International Airport. This has been an incredible opportunity to bring my dream and my late aunt’s [Claudia Williams Hope, who started the business with Brittany in 2017 -Ed] dream to life. Bringing the vision to life with an amazing team has been one of the biggest accomplishments in my life.
“We are working with our amazing partners such as Blue Caterpillar who believed in us and supported us from the beginning; Otis Confectionery; local favourites such as Las Olas Brands who bring us those amazing Florida coconut patties; and several others to bring us new, fresh and customer-friendly items.”
WP Business Consulting Founder Chris Berthelson said: “We are searching the globe for the most innovative, trending new brands and ideas to introduce into the travel retail sector. Together with our global partners we want to introduce the new travelling consumer to a world of shopping options they have never seen before.”
He added: “There are so many great small and large brands alike in the global sector that are passionate about what they bring to their customers, care about the environment, and truly understand the customer experience is changing and we all need to get on board before we are left behind.”
