Qatar Duty Free recognized as the ‘Airport Retailer of the Year’ at the DFNI Global Awards 2018
Qatar Duty Free continues to claim global awards for its world-class shopping experience
DOHA, Qatar, 2018-Apr-17 — /Travel PR News/ — Qatar Duty Free (QDF) has been awarded ‘Airport Retailer of the Year’ at the DFNI Global Awards 2018 that took place at the Royal Lancaster hotel in London on 13 April. The DFNI Global Awards are selected by a judging panel of industry leaders and experts, who recognise and accolade international retailers for being best-in-class.
QDF is one of the largest duty free retailers in the world, with more than 90 boutiques and luxury, high-end stores, as well as more than 30 restaurants and cafés covering an area of 40,000 square meters at Hamad International Airport (HIA), home to QDF. QDF boasts many renowned international luxury brands, including Gucci, Bulgari, Hermès, Giorgio Armani, Hugo Boss, Moncler, Rolex and Harrods.
Hamad International Airport Chief Operating Officer, Engr. Badr Mohammed Al Meer, said: “I am very proud to receive this award on behalf of Hamad International Airport, the home of Qatar Duty Free. Our mission is to make HIA a destination in its own right, providing travellers with the world’s best facilities from an array of dining options, to luxurious lounges, access to gyms and spas, a swimming pool, squash court and of course, award-winning shopping at QDF. This award joins a host of recent accolades awarded to HIA including being ranked the world’s fifth ‘Best Airport in the World’ by Skytrax. We will continue to build on these successes to offer our passengers nothing short of an exceptional airport experience.”
Head of Qatar Duty Free, Mr. Thabet Musleh, said: “We are honoured and delighted to be awarded ‘Airport Retailer of the Year’ at the DFNI Global Awards 2018. This tremendous accomplishment reflects the five-star shopping experience we offer to all our passengers at QDF, and makes our duty free offering an experience worth travelling for. We will continue to push boundaries to ensure that our passengers’ experience is exceptional each time they pass through our home and hub, HIA.”
QDF was the Gold Sponsor for two categories at the DFNI Global Awards 2018, ‘Best New Product’ and ‘Best New Product Packaging’. The ‘Best New Product’ category, won by WorldSIM, focused on several judging factors including, the commercial success, quality and brand appeal of the product. ‘Best New Product Packaging’, won by Champagne Lanson, was judged on the concept, design, quality and brand visibility.
QDF is committed to providing passengers with a memorable five-star experience at HIA. The innovative duty free operator is now the second-largest duty free operator in the Middle East.
HIA is one of the world’s most technologically advanced airports with expansive retail options, a wide range of dining facilities, exclusive lounges, and a hotel and wellness centre including a gym, squash court, swimming pool and spa. Accommodating more than 30 million passengers each year, HIA redefines passengers’ expectations by offering a world-class experience.
HIA has already met a number of significant milestones in 2018, including being ranked fifth ‘Best Airport in the World’ at the Skytrax World Airport Awards 2018. The award-winning airport moved up one place from last year, having received the title of sixth ‘Best Airport in the World’ at the Skytrax World Airport Awards in 2017. HIA is the only airport in the Middle East in the world’s top 10 airports of 2018. At the annual awards ceremony, HIA also took home the title of ‘Best Airport in the Middle East’ for the fourth year in a row, and ‘Best Staff Service in the Middle East’ for the third year in a row.
Named 2017 Airline of the Year by Skytrax, the national carrier of the State of Qatar is one of the fastest-growing airlines operating one of the youngest fleets in the world. In 2018/2019, Qatar Airways will be adding many more exciting destinations to its network, including London Gatwick and Cardiff, United Kingdom; Tallinn, Estonia; Valletta, Malta; Cebu and Davao, Philippines; Langkawi, Malaysia; Da Nang, Vietnam; Bodrum and Antalya, Turkey; Mykonos, Greece and Málaga, Spain.
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Notes to Editors:
About Qatar Airways
Qatar Airways, the national carrier of the State of Qatar, is celebrating more than 20 years of Going Places Together with travellers across its more than 150 business and leisure destinations. The world’s fastest-growing airline will add a number of exciting new destinations to its growing network in 2018, including Thessaloniki, Greece; Cardiff, UK and many more, flying passengers on board its modern fleet of more than 200 aircraft.
A multiple award-winning airline, Qatar Airways was named ‘Airline of the Year’ by the 2017 World Airline Awards, managed by international air transport rating organisation Skytrax. It was also named ‘World’s Best Business Class,’ ‘Best Airline in the Middle East,’ and ‘World’s Best First Class Airline Lounge.’
Qatar Airways is a member of the oneworld global alliance. The award-winning alliance was named the World’s Best Airline Alliance 2015 by Skytrax for the third year running. Qatar Airways was the first Gulf carrier to join global airline alliance, oneworld, enabling its passengers to benefit from more than 1,000 airports in more than 150 countries, with 14,250 daily departures.
Oryx One, Qatar Airways’ in-flight entertainment system offers passengers up to 4,000 entertainment options from the latest blockbuster movies, TV box sets, music, games and much more. Passengers flying on Qatar Airways flights served by its B787, A350, A380, A319 and select A320 and A330 aircraft can also stay in touch with their friends and family around the world by using the award-winning airline’s on-board Wi-Fi and GSM service.
Qatar Airways proudly supports a range of exciting international and local initiatives dedicated to enriching the global community that it serves. Qatar Airways, the official FIFA partner, is the official sponsor of many top-level sporting events, including the FIFA 2018 and 2022 World Cups, reflecting the values of sports as a means of bringing people together, something at the core of the airline’s own brand message – Going Places Together.
Qatar Airways Cargo, the world’s third largest international cargo carrier, serves more than 60 exclusive freighter destinations worldwide via its world-class Doha hub and also delivers freight to more than 150 key business and leisure destinations globally with more than 200 aircraft. The Qatar Airways Cargo fleet includes eight Airbus A330 freighters, 13 Boeing 777 freighters and two Boeing 747-8 freighters.
For further information, please contact:
Qatar Airways Group, Corporate Communications Department
Tel: +974 4022 2200
+974 4022 5350
qrmedia@qatarairways.com.qa