LEBANON. In our special series to close out 2020, we focus on the heroes and heroines who stood up as a global pandemic raged and ensured that airport, travel retail store and restaurant environments were safe and hygienic, that shelves were stocked and that customers – though few in number – could still enjoy a reassuring shopping, dining or general airport experience.
With the assistance and input of our industry partners, we present the stories of some of those individuals and teams who ensured that a pulse still beat through travel retail this year. As reported in The Moodie Davitt eZine, we salute these front line workers as our People of the Year, with our online coverage building on the pictorial in our year-end edition.
Here, we look at some of the profound difficulties faced by Lebanon and Phoenicia Aer Rianta’s Beirut Duty Free team, discovering that many unsung heroes have emerged after the tragedy of the 4 August explosion in Beirut.
Given all of the difficulties experienced by virtually every country in the world this year, it is perhaps Lebanon, and in particular its capital Beirut, which lays claim to be the most troubled.
A revolution in the country began in October 2019 and still continues, sparking a major economic crisis, riots, capital control from banks, a scarcity of basic essentials, huge price increases and a devaluation of the Lebanese currency of about -80%.
COVID-19 piled on the misery and then to top all the economic and health problems, on 4 August a huge explosion in Beirut’s main port killed hundreds and injured thousands of others, in the process rendering over 300,000 homeless.
But through all this, many thousands of heroes and heroines have emerged among the Lebanese people and residents, including staff from the Phoenicia Aer Rianta Beirut Duty Free team, many of whom live near the blast site. Some lost their homes and everything they owned.
After the blast, Beirut Duty Free Chief Operations Officer Adrian Bradshaw quickly set up a fund to support the victims. As part of the fund-raising activities – which have so far raised over US$35,000 – ARI Middle East (ARIME) organised a virtual walk/run from Bahrain (where ARIME’s headquarters are situated) to Beirut.
“The country needs radical change. It’s a real shame it took the huge explosion to draw international attention to the country, but there is at least some hope for the great people of Lebanon that we will get there” – Beirut Duty Free Chief Operations Officer Adrian Bradshaw
The idea was to raise additional awareness of the Beirut situation and generate donations, as well as to boost team spirit during lockdown. The participants – including 52 participants people from ARIME, CTC-ARI, Ahlan Avenue, Muscat Duty Free and Montenegro Duty Free – completed a total of 1,911.5km between the two locations by either walking, running or cycling indoors or outdoors.
The goal was to complete the mission within 35 days, but the challenge was completed within just 17. The quest finished in Beirut Port on 7 October, where the participants were met by members of Beirut Duty Free’s team.
Reflecting on the challenges faced by Beirut, Bradshaw, who married a Lebanese national in 2005, said: “You only need to mention Beirut to someone and immediately people have a mental image, good or bad and let’s face it over the decades Lebanon has gone through a lot, whether it be a civil war, conflict, assassinations, terrorist affiliations, the list goes on.
“There is, however a different perspective. Many people have had relatives who visited Beirut in the 1960s, where it was considered to be the French Riviera of the Middle East, a bustling tourism location, where you can be in the mountains or by the beach within an hour’s drive. It was the place to be!
“For those who have visited the country over the years, they will all say what a great time they had here and can’t wait to visit again. The Lebanese are strong, resilient people, but despite the history and the challenges, they have risen above it; they live life to the full.”
With immense understatement, Bradshaw describes the last ten months as “very challenging” not just for Lebanon, but also members of his team. He explained that since the new round of troubles began in October 2019, ARIME has been working hard to be as supportive as possible towards its staff, not least financially, acknowledging that each colleague has their own individual challenges.
He concluded: “There are still many challenges ahead of us, with unfortunate tensions across the country. A new competent government of technocrats needs to be formed at the soonest opportunity, to implement the needed reforms, so that we can secure external funding from the international community and the IMF.
“The country needs radical change. It’s a real shame it took the huge explosion to draw international attention to the country, but there is at least some hope for the great people of Lebanon that we will get there.”
Paying tribute to the Phoenicia Aer Rianta Beirut team, ARIME Projects & Design Manager Tracy Ross said: “The Lebanese team remain strong and proud, despite everything that has been thrown at them over the years. They will not be beaten – they will continue to move forward no matter what challenges arise. They above all other teams, are our most admired and respected unsung regional heroes and front-liners, who soldier on, despite a continuing multitude of country challenges.”
You can make a donation to the Beirut Duty Free fundraising initiative via Adrian Bradshaw’s GoFundMe account here.
*FOOTNOTE: Watch out for more stories over the holiday period in which we recognise the front line workers of the aviation and travel retail sectors. Please send your contributions to Martin@MoodieDavittReport.com headed ‘Our heroes’.
