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· McLoughlin was presented with the prestigious ATM Pearl Award for Outstanding Contribution to the Travel Industry, a special award created for ATM’s 30th edition
Dubai,
United Arab Emirates, 3 May 2023: Dubai Duty-Free helped
to strengthen Dubai’s reputation as a leading international tourist
destination, said Executive Vice Chairman and CEO Colm McLoughlin as he took to
the Global Stage today at Arabian Travel Market
2023.
In
a fascinating conversation with Euro News Dubai Bureau Chief Jane Witherspoon,
McLoughlin recalled highlights from four decades at the helm of Dubai Duty Free
and shared the organisation’s plans for the future.
Dubai
Duty Free is one of the largest duty free operations in a single airport in the
world and covers a total retail area of 40,000 square metres across Dubai
International Airport and Al Maktoum International Airport. In addition, Dubai
Duty Free has raised the profile of the city of Dubai through the promotion of
high-profile international events such as the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships,
which generates over US$1 billion in TV exposure for Dubai.
McLoughlin
said: “Over the past 40 years, it has become increasingly important that the
entire journey is enjoyable for the passenger, and a key part of this journey
is spent at Dubai Duty Free.”
McLoughlin
arrived in the UAE in July 1983 as part of the consultancy team from Aer
Rianta, the Irish Airport Authority, which was contracted by the Dubai
Government to launch a new duty-free operation at Dubai International Airport. He
has remained at Dubai Duty Free since then and became Executive Vice Chairman
and Chief Executive Officer of the organisation and its subsidiary businesses
in 2011.
Under
his leadership, Dubai Duty Free grew from a US$20 million company in 1984 to a
$1.74 billion operation last year, with 2023 sales expected to reach over US$2
billion. Aligning with the ‘Working towards net zero’ theme of ATM 2023, Dubai
Duty Free will be increasingly emphasising CSR initiatives and sustainability
in the coming years.
During
the session today, McLoughlin was presented with the Pearl Award, a prestigious
award created especially for the 30th edition of ATM. Presenting the award, Danielle
Curtis Exhibition
Director ME, Arabian Travel Market, said: “It is an absolute privilege to
present you with the prestigious Pearl Award. This is fitting tribute to a
stalwart in the tourism industry and someone who resonates with many of the
ideologies behind the award, including wisdom, enlightenment and longevity.
“I am delighted to share this accolade with
you in recognition of the incredible contribution that Dubai Duty Free, under
your stewardship, has made to tourism and the economy, in a career that spans
over 40 years. We thank you for all that you’ve done and wish you even more
success in the future.”
McLoughlin
concluded: “I’m 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
H.H Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum.
“Looking to the future, it
is important that we keep on evolving and moving forwards delivering a ‘better
tomorrow’ for travellers. We need to ensure that we continue to raise the
benchmark when it comes to customer experiences while also adopting sustainable
practices which protect and future-proof our environment.”
ATM
2023 is held in conjunction with Dubai World Trade Centre and its strategic
partners include Dubai’s Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) as the
Destination Partner, Emirates as the Official Airline Partner, IHG Hotels & Resorts as the
Official Hotel Partner and Al Rais Travel as the Official DMC Partner.
The
latest ATM news stories are available at https://hub.wtm.com/category/press/atm-press-releases/.
To
register for ATM 2023, please log on to: https://www.wtm.com/atm/en-gb/enquire.html.
Tags: Colm McLoughlin, Dubai Duty-Free, Danielle Curtis, Arabian Travel Market, ATM 2023
