MOROCCO. JT International (JTI) this week inaugurated five new Winston and Camel Smoker Lounges at Casablanca, Marrakech and Agadir airports – the latest openings in the Japan Tobacco Group-owned division’s acclaimed programme aimed at the smoking traveller.
The opening of the lounges in the three airports (three at Casablanca, one each at Agadir and Marrakech) marks JTI’s debut in Africa and underlines Morocco’s importance as a key gateway to the continent. The Moroccan project joins similar concepts at other international airports including Athens, Bali, Taipei, Moscow, Zürich, Kiev, Ho Chi Minh City and Dubai.
“Allowing smokers to smoke, while respecting the rights of non-smokers, is a top priority for JTI,” said JTI Vice President for Worldwide Duty Free Edouard Touma, speaking at the opening of the lounges. They were attended by the respective airport authorities, retailers Dufry Group and International Duty Free Shops, and members of the trade media.
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(Top left) Grand opening: Casablanca Airport Director Mohamed Nouri (left) welcomes the inauguration of the smoking lounges with JTI Vice President Worldwide Duty Free Edouard Touma; (Top right) Edouard Touma at the Casablanca opening with Dufry Deputy Chief Operating Officer Morocco & West Africa Felix Brunner (left) and Dufry Africa Chief Operating Officer Miguel Martinez (right); (below left and right) Casablanca Airport now boasts three Winston Lounges | |
“Over the last three years, Smoking Lounges and Stations, pioneered and driven by JTI, have had tremendous success in major European and Asian airports, where the travellers’ well-being is a priority,” Touma said. “Morocco is another strategic key market for JTI to roll out this exciting concept.”
He added: “A number of major international airports have discovered one promising area for expansion: appropriately catering to the travelling smoker. As public smoking legislation evolves around the world, airports aim to become “˜smoke free’ as well. That means providing smoking areas where smokers can converge and congregate, while at the same time protecting the legitimate interests of non-smokers to not being exposed to tobacco smoke. And the airlines show high interest in accommodation smoking and non-smoking passengers before boarding.”
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(Top left and right) JTI’s Edouard Touma and Marrakech Airport Director Lakhim Anas unveil the new Camel Smoking Lounge; (below left) the JTI and Dufry teams gather for the Marrakech inauguration; (right) the Camel lounge at Marrakech Airport was one of five lounges opened in Morocco this week | |
Touma concluded: “And JTI is not standing still. By the end of 2007 we will be in a total of 14 international airports, with 34 lounges and over 125 stations, communicating with potential traffic of 170 million passengers per year – an amazing accomplishment, and all in less than five years. This is a win-win solution for all parties: the smoking public is looked after, non-smokers find “˜smoke-free’ ambience and the airport maximizes floor space revenues.”
In 2008, JTI estimates it will be communicating with 200 million passengers at major international airports through its lounges, while other candidate airports are being assessed.
Touma said that JTI was displaying “leadership and innovation” in pioneering the development of smoking lounges at airports – underlining the company’s investment in the travel channel.
About JTI
JT International is a subsidiary of Japan Tobacco, Inc., said to be the world’s third largest international manufacturer of tobacco products. JTI’s portfolio includes cigarette brands like Camel, Winston and Mild Seven as well as Benson & Hedges, Silk Cut, L&D, Sobranie and Glamour. Total net tobacco sales amount to US$14.4 billion in the fiscal year ended 31 March 2007. With headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland, JTI is present in over 60 markets with 23,000 employees, and has sales activities in over 120 countries.
Visit www.jti.com.
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‘Win-win’ as JTI opens latest Smoking Lounge and Stations at Dubai International Airport – 22/03/07
JTI set to open “˜smoking stations’ at Dubai International Airport and in Morocco – 05/12/06
