 |
Dubai Duty Free Managing Director Colm McLoughlin (right) with author Graeme Wilson at the launch of “˜Fly Buy Dubai’ |
UAE. With just days to go before its 25th anniversary on 20 December, Dubai Duty Free has officially launched “˜Fly Buy Dubai’, a 500-page book written by Dubai-based author Graeme Wilson, which commemorates the quarter century milestone. The book was launched at a special gathering today at Magrudys’ Bookshop in Jumeirah.
The book provides a fascinating insight into the origins of the duty free industry, which began in 1947 at Shannon Airport in Ireland, and links the history of Ireland from that time to the history of the UAE.
Named after one of Dubai Duty Free’s early advertising campaigns, Fly Buy Dubai traces the origins of this award-winning operation which began as a result of a six month consultancy agreement between the Dubai Government and Aer Rianta (the Irish Airport Authority).
Colm McLoughlin, Managing Director of Dubai Duty Free, headed-up that ten man team from Aer Rianta in 1983 and has remained in Dubai along with fellow team member, George Horan, the current Deputy Managing Director. The team had six months in which to set up and operate the duty free operation, which was located in the basement of the former airport building.
At the book launch in Magrudys, McLoughlin noted: “It has been a remarkable 25 years and our success is due in no small part to the freedom and support that we have been given by the Government of Dubai and especially by H.H. Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, President of the Dubai Department of Civil Aviation Authority and Chairman of Dubai Airports.
“I am delighted that we have published Fly Buy Dubai as, in addition to being a great read, it is an historical record of a fascinating time in Irish and UAE history. I think that Graeme did a great job in researching and putting this book together and my thanks to all of those who contributed towards its publication.”
Graeme Wilson spent the best part of two years writing Fly Buy Dubai and conducted over 100 interviews with government and industry representatives as well as interviewing many of Dubai Duty Free employees including a number of the operation’s “˜Pioneers’. In what is a remarkable example of staff retention, Dubai Duty Free still employs 60 of its original 100 staff – who are affectionately known as the “˜Pioneers’.
The duty free industry began in Shannon Airport in 1947 when Irishman Dr Brendan O’ Regan decided to entice transatlantic travellers by selling a small selection of Irish handicrafts. The business is now a global industry worth over US$30 billion.
Dubai Duty Free began operations in December 1983 and in its first full year of business announced sales of US$20 million. This year, the operation will reach sales of US$1 billion and on its 25th anniversary day, a new daily sales record is expected to be achieved as the operation offers -25% discount on a wide range of products. Dubai Duty Free currently employs over 3,500 staff and operates in Terminals 1, 2 and 3 at Dubai International Airport.
“˜Fly Buy Dubai’ is currently on sale at Dubai Duty Free and Magrudys’ Bookshops.
[comments]
MORE STORIES ON DUBAI DUTY FREE
Just days to go as Dubai Duty Free prepares to celebrate 25th anniversary milestone – 16/12/08
Dubai Duty Free offers The Moodie Report readers the chance to win US$5 million – 12/12/08
Victory for Van Heusden as Dubai Duty Free Golf World Cup 2008 signs off in style – 26/11/08
