Dubai Duty Free marked its 41st anniversary today as it welcomed passengers travelling through Dubai International and Al Maktoum International airports with a special 25% discount on a wide range of merchandise for 24 hours.
The anniversary discount for 24 hours saw a spending spree at the two airports as well as online and is sure to signal a good end to the year.
Commenting on the 41st anniversary, Ramesh Cidambi, Managing Director of Dubai Duty Free said: “As always it was great to see the operation in full festive atmosphere today during our 41st anniversary celebration.”
The anniversary also saw a series of celebrations in various locations which started yesterday, 19th December with the Dubai Duty Free executive team, led by Ramesh Cidambi, marking the occasion in Al Maktoum International Airport as well as its Head Office in Ramoul and Terminal 1 Concourse D in Dubai International Airport.
To mark the anniversary day itself (20th December), the Dubai Duty Free team kicked off the celebration at Terminal 2
To mark the anniversary day itself (20th December), the Dubai Duty Free team headed to Terminal 2 for a traditional cake cutting before proceeding to Terminal 3’s Concourse A, C and Control Tower before making the final stop at Concourse B for another celebration where they conducted the Dubai Duty Free Millennium Millionaire and Finest Surprise draws.
To get everyone in the Christmas spirit, prior to the cake cutting and draws, the Dubai Duty Free Nightingales choral group sang some Christmas carols to the delight of the staff and passengers.
One draw was conducted in the Dubai Duty Free Millennium Millionaire promotion in Series 484.
Ms. Rosha Abdulla, a 25-year-old Indian national based in Dubai won a US$1 million in Millennium Millionaire Series 484 with ticket number 2261, which he purchased online on 10th December.
Ms. Abdulla’s brother who is a regular participant in Dubai Duty Free’s promotion for 3 years now, has been purchasing ticket under her name.
“I’m so excited because my brother has been praying to win under my name, and now it finally happened. Thank you so much, Dubai Duty Free, for this amazing opportunity,” she said.
Ms. Abdulla who works as an accountant for a retail company in Dubai is the 243rd Indian national to have won US$1 million in the Millennium Millionaire promotion since in 1999 and Indian nationals are the biggest buyers of tickets.
Today’s draw was conducted by Dubai Duty Free’s Managing Director, Ramesh Cidambi, Salah Tahlak, Deputy Managing Director, Sinead El Sibai, SVP – Marketing, Dr. Bernard Creed, SVP – Finance, Mona Al Ali, SVP – Human Resources, Michael Schmidt, SVP – Retail, Zayed Al Shebli, SVP – Loss Prevention and Corporate Security, Salim Dahman, Senior Manager – Marketing, Fatema Al Fardan, Senior Manager – Purchasing, Nasser Al Jasmi, Senior Manager – Exchange Bureau, Khalid Saleh, Senior Manager – Loss Prevention & Corporate Security and Adhija Al Zamar, Senior Manager- Fixed Assets.
Following the Millennium Millionaire, two luxury vehicle winners were also unveiled at the Dubai Duty Free Finest Surprise draw. Joining in the draw were Mohamad Al Khaja, VP – Retail Support, Salim Ibrahim, Senior Manager- Retail Sales, Thankachan Varghese, Senior Manager- Retail Support and Mohammad Rafeek, Financial Controller.
Mr. Ezana Negash Huluka, an Ethiopian national based in the UAE won a Mercedes Benz S500 (Graphite Grey) car, with ticket number 267 in the Finest Surprise Series 1902, which he purchased on 2nd December at Terminal 3 Arrivals.
Mr. Huluka is currently uncontactable, but will no doubt be delighted to learn of his win.
Lastly, Mr. Shavkat Shodiev, a 50-year-old Uzbekistan national based in Tashkent won a BMW R 1250 R (Racing Blue Metallic) motorbike, with ticket number 543 in the Finest Surprise Series 606, which he purchased online on 5th December.
Mr. Shodiev is a frequent flyer to Dubai and a regular participant in Dubai Duty Free’s promotion.
“Thank you Dubai Duty Free for this win! I can’t wait to receive my winning bike,” he said.
Forty-two Dubai Duty Free staff also enjoyed a special ‘Staff Surprise’ raffle draw with a total of Dhs 110,000 in cash prizes given away.
