Our regular feature, brought to you in association with Duty Free Global from Ireland, celebrates memorable scenes, moments, launches and campaigns related to the global aviation and travel retail sphere.
UAE. Today’s images come courtesy of Dubai Duty Free, which is celebrating Diwali, the Indian festival of lights, with verve, style and a dash of colour at Dubai International Airport. Diwali celebrations run until the main festival date on 8 November.
India is a long-time critical market for Dubai International Airport and for Dubai Duty Free. As the travel retailer’s Managing Director Ramesh Cidambi put it, “We currently employ almost 1,000 Indian nationals, and Indian passengers account for 13-14% of our business, so it is appropriate that we mark this most popular festival celebrated all over the world.”
A special event at DXB Concourse B welcomed Consul General of India in Dubai, His Excellency Dr. Emmadi Vishnu Vardhan Reddy, who joined Cidambi, members of the Dubai Duty Free senior management team and Indian staff.
The celebration brought together traditional Indian customs, cultural performances and a festive atmosphere to mark one of India’s most important celebrations.
A ceremonial lighting of an electric diyas marked the highlight of the celebration, followed by a traditional Indian dance performance.
Cidambi said, “It is an absolute privilege to be joined by the Indian Consul General, Dr. Emmadi Vishnu Vardhan Reddy, in celebrating the Diwali Festival at Dubai Duty Free. This annual celebration forms part of our ongoing recognition of the diverse nationalities and culture represented among our customers and employees.”
His Excellency said, “Thank you Ramesh and team at Dubai Duty Free for the invitation to commemorate the Diwali celebration. It is great to know that you have a good number of Indian employees working here and that Indians form the majority of your customer who love to shop at Dubai Duty Free. I wish you all Happy Diwali.”
Dubai Duty Free also held its Millennium Millionaire (above) and Finest Surprise draws, with an Indian national fittingly winning US$1 million in the latest Millennium Millionaire Series draw.
Govidan Nair, a 62-year-old from Kerala and based in Dubai, is the 286th Indian national to have won US$1 million in the Millennium Millionaire promotion since its inception in 1999. Indian nationals continue to be the biggest purchasers of tickets in the promotion. ✈
