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Dubai Duty Free has grown from a $20 million company in 1984 to a turnover of $1.74 billion last year, with sales expected to exceed $2 billion by 2023 under the leadership of executive vice chairman and chief executive Colm McLoughlin.
Taking to the global stage at the Arabian Travel Market 2023 on May 3, McLaughlin said Dubai Duty Free has helped strengthen Dubai’s reputation as a leading international tourist destination.
In an engaging conversation with Euro News Dubai Bureau Chief Jane Witherspoon, McLoughlin reflects on the highlights of his four decades at the helm of Dubai Duty Free and shares the organisation’s plans for the future.
Dubai Duty Free is one of the largest single-airport duty-free stores in the world, covering a combined retail area of 40,000 square meters at Dubai International Airport and Al Maktoum International Airport. In addition, Dubai Duty Free has raised the profile of the city of Dubai by promoting high-profile international events such as the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships, which generated more than $1 billion in television exposure for the city.
“Over the past 40 years, it has become increasingly important for passengers to enjoy the entire journey, and a key part of that journey is spent at Dubai Duty Free,” McLoughlin said.
McLoughlin arrived in the United Arab Emirates in July 1983 as part of a team of consultants to Airports Authority of Ireland, which was contracted by the Government of Dubai to develop a new duty-free operation at Dubai International Airport. He has since remained with Dubai Duty Free and became Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the organization and its subsidiaries in 2011.
In line with ATM 2023’s ‘Strive for Net Zero’ theme, Dubai Duty Free will increasingly emphasize corporate social responsibility initiatives and sustainability in the coming years.
At today’s meeting, McLoughlin received the Pearl Award, a prestigious award dedicated to ATMs for the 30th edition.
Presenting the awards, Danielle Curtis, ME Exhibition Director, Arabian Travel Market, said: “It is an absolute honor to be able to present you with the prestigious Pearl Award. A fitting tribute to someone who resonates with wisdom, enlightenment, and longevity.
“I am delighted to share this honor with you in recognition of Dubai Duty Free’s incredible contribution to tourism and the economy over a career spanning over 40 years under your leadership. We thank you for all you have done and Wishing you even more success in the future.”
McLoughlin concluded: “I am absolutely thrilled and excited to receive this award and I would like to thank the team and staff at Dubai Duty Free and of course our Chairman HH Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum.
“Going forward, it will be important that we continue to evolve and move forward to deliver a ‘better tomorrow’ for travelers. We need to ensure we continue to raise the benchmark in terms of customer experience while adopting sustainable practices that protect our environment and enable face to the future.”
ATM 2023 is co-hosted with Dubai World Trade Center with strategic partners including Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) as Destination Partner, Emirates as Official Airline Partner, IHG Hotels & Resorts as Official Hotel Partner and Al Rais Travel as an official DMC partner. – trade arab news agency
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