SARS outbreak fails to halt Toronto retail drive

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The ambitious retail development programme at Toronto Lester B Pearson International airport is advancing according to schedule despite the scare over the SARS virus, which has claimed a number of victims in the city

Greater Toronto Airports Authority director properties and concessions Jack Gaum told TRW the SARS outbreak had not had an immediate effect on passenger traffic at the location, and confirmed that the tender process for the main duty-free concession would be launched in June.

"As far as we can gauge, SARS is not a preoccupation for our concessionaires," said Gaum. "We are quite confident the medical authorities in Toronto have matters in hand. The economic downturn and the war in Iraq have had more of an effect on traffic. SARS is one of a number of factors but by no means the chief one."

Gaum was reassured by the response to the recent tender for speciality retail at Toronto, in landside and airside areas. "We had a fantastic turnout for speciality retail and no bidders expressed the concern that SARS would be a long-term threat. We expect to announce the result of the bid by June."

The main duty-free tender at Toronto has already attracted a great deal of interest, according to Gaum. "All the big operators are interested and SARS has not in any way constrained their enthusiasm," he insisted. "The new terminal one will give us a fantastic facility for duty-free, and for the first time at Toronto the size and location will be just what we want."

The first phase of Toronto's new terminal will open in October, and duty-free will relocate to the newly-built Infield Holdroom terminal.