UAE. JT International (JTI) yesterday inaugurated three new Winston Smoker Lounges and five Smoker Stations at Dubai International Airport – the latest openings in the Japan Tobacco Group-owned division’s acclaimed programme aimed at the smoking traveller.
The project is the first to be launched in the Gulf region. The concept offers a comfortable area for smokers that also respects the rights of non-smokers by creating welcoming, centrally located sections where smokers can light up before boarding or in between flights.
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| Left (above and below): Edouard Tuma welcomes guests to the opening; Top right: JTI Regional President Martin Braddock and Dubai Duty Free Operations Manager Sean Staunton cut the ceremonial ribbon | |
“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 a packed opening ceremony attended by several Gulf airports, duty free retailers and company representatives yesterday.
Japan Tobacco is the world’s third-largest tobacco house, producing a range of top brands including Camel, Winston, Mild Seven and Salem.
“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.
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| Guests mingle, and smoke, at the opening. Note the branding opportunity, the ambience and the positioning of the unit in a prominent public area – a refreshingly far cry from the ‘prisoners’ cell-block’ look of many airport smoking areas | |
The Dubai project joins similar concepts in other leading international airports, including Athens, Frankfurt, Moscow, Taipei and Zurich.
Touma said: “JT International is not standing still. By end-2007 we will be in a total of 14 international airports”¦ with 34 lounges and over 125 stations, communicating with potential traffic of 180 million passengers per year – an amazing accomplishment and all in less than five years.
“But there’s more. Final negotiations are taking place with two additional airports, bringing us over the 200 million passenger threshold, while 15 other airports are currently being assessed.”
He added: “At the heart of the concept is a desire by all of us to properly cater to travelling smokers, while accommodating the legitimate interests of those who do not want to be exposed to tobacco smoke.
“Just as important for airports is the overall “˜look and feel’ of smoker facilities. Today, airports are dynamic public spaces where travellers are expecting modern and sophisticated surroundings. The JTI Lounges and Stations provide this level of quality and attractiveness.
“For airport authorities”¦dedicated smoker spaces are a win-win proposition. Indeed the smoking public is looked after without disturbing non-smokers and the airport maximises floor space revenues.”
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| Top left: Yvonne Smiddy, Dubai Duty Free Deputy Manager – Vendor Support & Research and Niveen Ibrahim, General Manager Abu Dhabi Duty Free; Top right: Sean Staunton and Martin Braddock seal the deal in style; Bottom left: The Dubai International Airport agreement is the icing on the cake for JTI’s ambitious Smoking Lounge and Station programme, which is also boosting the company’s strong brand portfolio (right) | |
HOW THE CONCEPT WORKS
– The JTI Smoking Lounge concept is a partially for fully enclosed space, equipped with powerful ventilation units, that provides a more comfortable environment for smokers. The “modern, relaxed, sophisticated” spaces are located near the travel retail areas and within easy reach of departure gates.
– The JTI Smoking Station concept is a smaller designated open area also equipped with ventilation units.
Easily identifiable by their branding, the Lounges and Stations are easily moveable, offering flexibility to airport operators. They also offer advertising potential.
MORE STORIES RELATED TO JTI
IBCS pushes to diversify product range across Middle East duty free and domestic markets – 21/01/07
JTI set to open “˜smoking stations’ at Dubai International Airport and in Morocco – 05/12/06
JTI and Frankfurt Airport clear the air for smokers – and non-smokers – 15/09/05
