Ribbon cutting held for first duty free store at San Diego International Airport

Symbol of increased international service at airport

SAN DIEGO – 2012-12-11 — /travelprnews.com/ — A ribbon-cutting ceremony was held today officially opening the first duty free store at San Diego International Airport. Operated by Duty Free Americas, the store reflects significant growth in international service at the airport, which now connects San Diego nonstop to Asia, Europe, Canada and Mexico.

On hand to cut the ribbon and deliver remarks at the opening were San Diego Mayor Bob Filner, Airport Authority President/CEO Thella Bowens, and Duty Free Americas Chief Operating Officer Simon Falic. Several dignitaries and guests from both sides of the border were present for the ceremony.

Located post-security in Terminal 2 East, near international gates 21 and 22, the 1,249-square-foot store sells chocolate, perfumes and colognes, purses, liquor, tobacco, and other common duty free products.

The Airport Authority determined that the level of international enplanements now supports a duty free store because of new service to Tokyo, which began on December 2, in addition to current international service to London, Mexico and Canada. Increased international service is a strong focus for the Airport Authority.

“$2.3 billion is spent each year by visitors who arrive by air to San Diego, and international visitors tend to stay longer and spend more than domestic travelers,” said Bowens. “With this level of international service now in place, it’s the perfect time for a duty free store at the airport.”

The new duty free store is part of a complete, airport-wide transformation of the shopping and dining environment at SDIA. More information on all of the new stores coming to the airport can be found here: http://www.san.org/sdcraa/business/concessions/default.aspx

Duty Free Americas operates one of the largest chains of duty free stores in the world, with stores located primarily near U.S. border crossings and in airports.

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Contact:

Steven Shultz
619.400.2881/sshultz@san.org

Rebecca Bloomfield
619.400.2880/rbloomfi@san.org

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