 |
The Qatar Duty Free draw concluded at Doha International Airport with tickets picked for US$1 million and two luxury cars. Qatar Duty Free Deputy General Manager Krishna Kumari is pictured third left |
QATAR. Qatar Airways subsidiary Qatar Duty Free has announced the winners of its biggest ever raffle prize draw, turning one lucky passenger into an instant millionaire and two others into luxury car owners.
The Dollar Millionaire raffle was launched in May 2006, with each draw being made after 5,000 tickets are sold. Departing and transiting passengers at Doha International Airport are able to purchase raffle tickets, each priced at QAR950.
The latest winner was Varkey Thomas from India. Mr Thomas, 55, who is married with four daughters, works as a General Manager for an offshore company in Qatar. Commenting on the win, he said: “I am so happy, this really is a gift from God.” The Thomas family have been in Doha for 23 years and bought the winning ticket before boarding flight QR 264 to Cochin to visit family in their home town.
The millionaire draw was held with two other draws for luxury cars – the first time Qatar Duty Free has held three raffles on the same day.
A BMW 650i convertible will be taken home by Mohammed Issa Al Omari, a Jordanian national living in Qatar. A Mercedes-Benz CLS 350 was won by Canadian Iyad Mohamad Saad, also resident in Qatar.
 |  |
Golden Ticket: Qatar Duty Free creates a second Instant Millionaire at Doha International Airport | |
Qatar Duty Free Deputy General Manager Krishna Kumari said: “Qatar Duty Free has enjoyed tremendous success since launching the Qatar Riyal Millionaire Draw four years ago. With the newly-launched Dollar Millionaire draw last year, we have taken a huge step forward by increasing the prize money on offer by more than 300%.
“Following the success of the first Dollar Millionaire draw, I look forward to welcoming many more instant millionaires over the next few months and years to come,” she concluded.
Qatar Duty Free has enjoyed significant growth year-on-year, helped by a ramping up of its presence in the departures and arrivals area at Doha International Airport, the operational hub of Qatar Airways.
The airline operates a modern fleet of 60 Airbus and Boeing aircraft to 81 destinations worldwide from Doha. The fleet size will almost double to 110 jets by 2015.
MORE STORIES ON QATAR DUTY FREE
Celebration at Qatar Duty Free as it scoops Duty Free Retailer of the Year award – 15/11/07
Qatar Airways steps up expansion with major Boeing order – 12/11/07
Destination Hong Kong as The Smile Train charity dinner attracts a huge crowd – 03/10/07
