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Qatar Duty Free Deputy General Manager Krishna Kumari (second left) carried out the draw in front of passengers and media from around the world |
QATAR. Qatar Duty Free, a subsidiary of Qatar Airways, has turned one lucky passenger into an instant dollar millionaire after its biggest-ever raffle prize draw.
The US$1 million winner, Otessa Carbonell Schiapparelli, from Palawan in the Philippines, cried with joy when she received her phone call from Qatar Duty Free Deputy General Manager Krishna Kumari, following the draw at Doha International Airport.
She said: “I am really shocked, happy and over the moon to hear this fantastic news. I pray to God for this news and I would like to thank Qatar Duty Free for giving me the best news possible before Christmas.”
Married with an 11-year-old daughter, the winner works at a hotel in Palawan and bought her lucky ticket before boarding Qatar Airways’ flight QR644 from Doha to Manila.
Qatar Duty Free and Qatar Airways Chief Executive Officer Akbar Al Baker said the US$1 million draw was the biggest-ever cash prize in the history of the company – and in the state of Qatar.
“We are extremely delighted to have launched this fantastic raffle draw and congratulations go out to Otessa for being our very first dollar millionaire,” he said.
“The raffle has proved a huge success, with passengers flying from, and transiting through, Doha International Airport able to buy these tickets and having the opportunity to become instant dollar millionaires.”
The raffle was launched in May 2006, as a replacement for the QAR1 million (US$280,000) draw, which was introduced three years ago. Tickets are priced at QAR950 and available to departing and transiting passengers at Doha Airport, with chances of winning a million boosted by each draw being made once 5,000 tickets have been sold.
Al Baker added: “Qatar Duty Free has enjoyed tremendous success since launching the Qatar Millionaire draw three years ago. With the new dollar millionaire draw, we have taken a huge step forward by increasing the prize money on offer by more than +300%.
“After the first dollar millionaire draw, I look forward to welcoming many more instant millionaires over the next few months and years to come.”
Kumari said: “The beauty of this draw is that it is not restricted to just one prize. Every time 5,000 tickets are sold, we will have a raffle draw at Doha International Airport, so this shows that the chances of winning are extremely high.
“This draw brings joy and excitement to the lives of a few lucky winners. We look forward to drawing more money-spinning winning tickets very soon.”
Qatar Duty Free has grown more than +64% over the previous 12 months, helped by an increase of its presence in the Departures and Arrivals areas at Doha, the airline’s operational hub.
The company has introduced high-end luxury brands at the airport, including Escada fashion, Bulgari watches and jewellery, Breitling watches and Pianegonda jewellery. And there are plans to introduce Shiseido, Sand and Ferragamo products shortly.
Last month, Qatar Duty Free opened a 500sq m retail space selling high-end luxury brands at Qatar Airways’ new Premium Terminal at Doha International Airport. The terminal is for exclusive use by the airline’s first and business class passengers.
Qatar Airways expects to carry eight million passengers during the current financial year. The airline operates a modern fleet of 52 Airbus aircraft to 70 destinations worldwide from Doha. The fleet size will more than double to 110 jets by 2015.
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