Dubai Duty Free Celebrates 29th Anniversary Day on a High Note

Dubai Duty Free’s 29th Anniversary celebration today (20th December) began on a high note with the operation’s offer of a 25% discount on a wide range of products resulting in a shopping frenzy as holiday travellers availed of the celebratory offer.

Commenting on the Anniversary discount offer, Colm McLoughlin, Executive Vice Chairman of Dubai Duty Free said: “We began introducing a discount offer on our 20th Anniversary back in 2003 and it has since become an annual tradition. We hear of people choosing to fly on the 20th December and looking at how busy the shopfloor is today, I can certainly believe that to be the case.”

The celebratory atmosphere at Dubai International Airport was infectious as the staff and management of Dubai Duty Free mingled with shoppers and conducted a series of draws including two Millennium Millionaire to win a million dollars each.

Mr. Abdul Salam, an Indian national living in Dubai was thrilled when he received a call from Dubai Duty Free notifying that his lucky ticket no. 0579 in Series 136 won him US$1 million in Dubai Duty Free Millennium Millionaire Promotion.

Abdul Salam purchased the winning ticket along with his nine colleagues who work as drivers at GEMS Education in Dubai. The new dollar millionaires couldn’t believe their luck and were especially excited as it was their very first ticket in the Millennium Millionaire Promotion.

Commenting on the news, Abdul Salam, a twenty-eight-year-old lucky ticket holder who recently got married said: “We are delighted to have won such a precious prize with our first ticket in the Millennium Millionaire Promotion and we look forward to meeting the Dubai Duty Free team who made our dreams come true!”

Yet another dollar millionaire was announced today in Dubai Duty Free. Mr. Chanaka Dayananda, a Sri Lankan national who works for Country Hill International in Dubai shared ticket no. 2814 in Series 137 along with his ten colleagues.

“My colleagues and I participated in the Millennium Millionaire promotion for the last few years but nonetheless, I was a little unsure when I received a call from Dubai Duty Free. I thought it was a joke but not until my details were read over the phone and then I realized that I have just become a millionaire!” commented Mr. Dayananda by phone.

Following the draw, a presentation was made to a previous Millennium Millionaire winner, Ms. Nandini Dabir Ravindra, who won her one million dollar prize in Series 135 with ticket no. 1605.

Accompanied by her husband Dabir Chandra Ravindra, the lucky winner was excited to join Dubai Duty Free on the anniversary day and commented: “I’m so excited and happy to be here today and receive my precious cheque. My husband and I are especially delighted to join Dubai Duty Free on its 29th Anniversary and celebrate the company’s success through the years”.

Two winners also received their prizes in the Finest Surprise Promotion. New Zealander living in Dubai, Mr. Munther Ghanbari, received the keys for his sporty Porsche 911 Carrera Coupe, which he won in Series no. 1509 with ticket no. 0774. Meanwhile Mr. Muhammad Zaim, a Pakistani national living in Dubai received the keys for a stylish Ducati Hypermotard 100 EVO in Series no. 203 with ticket no. 445.

Dubai Duty Free senior managers then proceeded to Terminal 3 and conducted a Finest Surprise draw for luxury vehicles.

Mr. Ahmed Rashad, an Egyptian national living in Dubai won a BMW 750Li Executive in Series 1511 with ticket no. 0668 while another Dubai-based winner, Mr. Robert Bruno, a French national won the latest model of a Porsche Panamera 4 in Series 1512 with ticket no. 0157.

Finally, a Ducati Streetfighter 848 in Series 205 with ticket no. 0083 was won by Mr. Thomas A., an Indian national from Dubai.

With the formalities over, Dubai Duty Free’s employees enjoyed a special Staff Finest Surprise draw which resulted in a total of Dhs170,000 being won by employees. Dubai Duty Free currently employs 5,000 staff and of the original 100 staff who joined in December 1983, 46 remain in active service.

Also present at today’s celebration were other Dubai Duty Free senior officials namely: George Horan, President, Salah Tahlak, Senior Vice President-Corporate Communications, Ramesh Cidambi. Senior Vice President- IT & Logistics, Sinead El Sibai, Vice President – Marketing, Saba Tahir, Vice President-Purchasing, Bernard Creed, Vice President-Finance, Nic Bruwer, Vice President-Human Resources and Sean Staunton, Vice President-Operations.

Emirate:  Dubai

Date: Dec 20, 2012

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