UAE. Dubai Duty Free has marked its 39th anniversary over the last three days at Dubai International and Al Maktoum International airports.
The company said that a special -25% discount on a wide range of merchandise has delivered a “spending spree” at shops and through its online business. The campaign began at midnight on 17 December, and ends at midnight tonight (UAE time).
Dubai Duty Free Executive Vice Chairman & CEO Colm McLoughlin said: “The anniversary celebrations spread over three days are fantastic. and we are glad to see such positive sales results across all the concourses at both airports. Extending a -25% discount to our customers is our way of saying thank you for their support throughout the year.”
The 39th anniversary also saw a series of celebrations in various locations over the past few days. The Dubai Duty Free executive team, led by McLoughlin, marked the occasion at Al Maktoum International Airport, at its Head Office in Ramoul, at the Hatta Border shop, and at Dubai International Airport Terminal 3 Concourse A and Arrivals in Terminal 2 and at Terminal 1, Concourse D.
To mark the anniversary day itself (20 December), the Dubai Duty Free team headed to Terminal 3’s Concourse C and Control Tower for a traditional cake cutting before proceeding to Concourse B for another celebration where they conducted the Dubai Duty Free Millennium Millionaire and Finest Surprise draws.
Two draws were conducted in the Dubai Duty Free Millennium Millionaire promotion, with Indian nationals Roymiranda Rollent and Safir Ahamed capturing the big prizes. A resident of Dubai for 46 years, Mr. Ahamed has been participating in the Dubai Duty Free promotion since 1989.“Thank you Dubai Duty Free! This money will really go a long way,” he said.
Mr. Rollent and Mr. Ahamed are the 201st and 202nd Indian nationals, respectively, to have won US$1 million since the start of the Millennium Millionaire promotion in 1999. Indians make up the highest number of Dubai Duty Free Millennium Millionaire ticket buyers.
Today’s draw was conducted by Colm McLoughlin, Chief Operating Officers Ramesh Cidambi and Salah Tahlak, SVP – Marketing Sinead El Sibai, SVP – Finance Dr. Bernard Creed, SVP – Human Resources Mona Al Ali, SVP – Retail Michael Schmidt, SVP – Purchasing Sharon Beecham and SVP – Loss Prevention and Corporate Security Zayed Al Shebli.
Following the Millennium Millionaire, four luxury vehicle winners were also unveiled at the Dubai Duty Free Finest Surprise draw. These included Kenneth Francis Robertson, a South African national based in Riyadh; Karim Samman, a German national based in Cologne; Khadka GB, a Nepali national based in Dubai and Arnaz Sapna Ashraf, an Indian national also based in Dubai.
Father of four Robertson had previously won a Mercedes Benz in a Dubai Duty Free draw in August. He said: “This is unbelievable! Never in my wildest dreams did I think this would happen to me twice in a year. Thank you for making 2022 my best year yet. I love you, Dubai Duty Free; you’re the best.”
Samman, a regular participant in the Dubai Duty Free promotion since 2008, said: “Thank you so much Dubai Duty Free. It’s definitely worth it to participate in your amazing promotion.”
Ms Ashraf said: “Shukran Dubai Duty Free! Winning in your promotion is the best feeling ever; thank you for making my day extra special.”
To add festive spirit to the celebrations, the Dubai Duty Free Nightingales choral group sang Christmas carols at DXB. In addition, Service Awards were given to three senior officials who have worked for Dubai Duty Free for a long time, including Salah Tahlak, who is celebrating 30 years, Salim Ibrahim, Senior Manager – Retail, and Edmond Saldanha, Operations Manager – Terminal 2, who has been with the company for 20 years.
The Dubai Duty Free staff also enjoyed a special ‘Staff Surprise’ draw to mark the 39th anniversary.
