UAE. Dubai Duty Free has welcomed the Lunar New Year with a thematic production in Terminal 3 Concourse B at Dubai International Airport.
The celebration was attended by Dubai Duty Free management and staff, including Chief Operating Officer Ramesh Cidambi, as well as select Chinese media. Guests from the Chinese Consulate in Dubai also made an appearance, including Vice Consul General Mr Liu Zhengjie and Vice Consul General Ms Wang Yi.
The event began with a ribbon and cake cutting, followed by a traditional dragon dance and eye-dotting ceremony.
Following speeches by Cidambi and Mr Liu Zhengjie, the two Vice Consul Generals along with two more Chinese consulate officials, were invited to attend the draw for the Dubai Duty Free Millennium Millionaire and Finest Surprise promotions.
They were joined by Joint Chief Operating Officer Salah Tahlak, Senior Vice President of Marketing Sinéad El Sibai, Senior Vice President HR Mona Al Ali and Senior Vice President – Purchasing Sharon Beecham.
David Thornley, a 53-year-old Australian national based in Abu Dhabi, won US$1 million in Series 449 with ticket number 0218, which he purchased online on 17 January.
A regular participant in Dubai Duty Free’s promotion for 10 years, Thornley works for a federal government department.
He said: “Thank you, Dubai Duty Free. I’m delighted to have finally won after participating for a very long time. It’s totally worth the wait.” Thornley is the ninth Australian national to win US$1 million in the Millennium Millionaire promotion since 1999.
After the Millennium Millionaire draw, three luxury vehicle winners were revealed in the Dubai Duty Free Finest Surprise draw.
Thomas Minninger, a 65-year-old German national based in Baden-Baden, Germany won a BMW 740i M Sport (Brooklyn Grey Metallic) car. He won with ticket number 0185 in Finest Surprise Series 1867, which he purchased online on 12 January.
A regular participant in Dubai Duty Free’s promotion for five years, Minninger is a father of one and works as a manager for a German airline.
“I’m very surprised and happy for this win. Thank you Dubai Duty Free,” he said.
Pravin Jogale, a 27-year-old Indian national based in Dubai, won an Aprilia Tuono V4 Factory (Time Attack – Black Red) motorbike with ticket number 0743 in Finest Surprise Series 565. He had purchased the ticket online on 23 January.
Jogale works as sales executive for an electrical and hardware supply company. He remarked: “Thank you for this wonderful opportunity, Dubai Duty Free.”
Nino Caponpon, a 44-year-old Filipino based in Abu Dhabi, won a BMW R18 Classic (Manhattan Metallic Matt) motorbike. He triumphed with ticket number 0109 in Finest Surprise Series 566, which he purchased online on 19 January.
A resident of Dubai for 15 years, Caponpon has been a regular participant in Dubai Duty Free’s promotion for five years and works as a warehouse logistics coordinator for DHL.
“I’m so thankful for this timely win. Thank you Dubai Duty Free,” he said. ✈
