MIDDLE EAST
ARI-Middle East makes key changes in Cyprus and QatarSource: ©The Moodie Report - 02/09/10
International tourist arrivals grow +7% in first-half 2010Source: ©The Moodie Report - 02/09/10
Bahrain Duty Free names latest ‘Win & Choose’ car raffle winnerSource: ©The Moodie Report - 01/09/10
International passenger volumes soar at world’s airports in JulySource: ©The Moodie Report - 01/09/10
King Fahd International Airport completes expanded F&B offerSource: ©The Moodie Report - 31/08/10
Qatar Airways embarks on major Indian expansionSource: ©The Moodie Report - 31/08/10
International passenger demand soars in July, reports IATASource: ©The Moodie Report - 30/08/10
Dubai International Airport passenger traffic surges to record highSource: ©The Moodie Report - 27/08/10
Egypt comes under the spotlight at MEDFA Conference 2010Source: ©The Moodie Report - 26/08/10
Picture Gallery: ARC 2010 in reviewSource: ©The Moodie Report - 23/08/10
Strong speaker line-up announced for ispyPLUS ConferenceSource: ©The Moodie Report - 17/08/10
Dufry plots ambitious expansion in 2010Source: ©The Moodie Report - 12/08/10
Dufry posts double-digit revenue and profits growth in first halfSource: ©The Moodie Report - 11/08/10
Bahrain Duty Free posts robust rise in first-half revenuesSource: ©The Moodie Report - 10/08/10
Chivas Regal lights up Dubai Airport with new advertising displaySource: ©The Moodie Report - 09/08/10
Duty free sales outpace passenger growth in Abu DhabiSource: ©The Moodie Report - 08/08/10
Heathrow, Paris, Hong Kong lead international passenger rankingsThe Moodie Report - 05/08/10
Diageo GTME, Dubai Duty Free and Dubai Airports create powerful ‘Mentorship Experience’Source: ©The Moodie Report - 03/08/10
Dubai Duty Free Managing Director Colm McLoughlin named The Moodie Report Personality of the Month for JulySource: ©The Moodie Report - 03/08/10
Global passenger traffic maintains growth momentum in JuneSource: ©The Moodie Report - 03/08/10
Autogrill beats disruptions with sound revenue and profits growthSource: ©The Moodie Report - 30/07/10
International passenger demand leaps by double digits in JuneSource: ©The Moodie Report - 29/07/10
LVMH posts strong first half; retail division records healthy growthSource: ©The Moodie Report - 27/07/10
Dubai posts double-digit first half traffic growthSource: ©The Moodie Report - 26/07/10
Abu Dhabi International Airport posts double-digit traffic growthSource: ©The Moodie Report - 22/07/10
Dubai Duty Free claims Superbrands' Brand of the Year titleSource: ©The Moodie Report - 21/07/10
Dubai Duty Free retains world's largest airport retailer crownSource: ©The Moodie Report - 20/07/10
Munich Airport operator FMG lands major Oman contractSource: ©The Moodie Report - 20/07/10
Qatar Airways fuels expansion with new Bombardier jets orderSource: ©The Moodie Report - 20/07/10
Asia Pacific set to drive global airline traffic growth, says ICAOSource: ©The Moodie Report - 16/07/10
Bullish Boeing forecasts strong aircraft demand in next 20 yearsSource: ©The Moodie Report - 16/07/10
Bahrain Duty Free recognises staff excellence with awardsSource: ©The Moodie Report - 15/07/10
Virginie Marquet joins José Cuervo Group in senior roleSource: ©The Moodie Report - 13/07/10
TAV Airports posts double-digit surge in H1 passenger numbersSource: ©The Moodie Report - 09/07/10
Bahrain Duty Free names latest winners of ‘Daily Draw’ promotionSource: ©The Moodie Report - 08/07/10
Citizen boosts brand image in the Gulf with JCDecaux campaignSource: ©The Moodie Report - 06/07/10
A winning weekend for the Dubai Duty Free Irish DerbySource: ©The Moodie Report - 05/07/10IRELAND. Dubai Duty Free has released more details and pictures of the Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby weekend, describing it as one of the most exhilarating weekends of the Irish social and racing calendar. With golf at the prestigious Palmer Ryder Cup Course at The K Club, a glitzy black tie ball in aid of the Leinster Branch of Special Olympics, and Sunday’s racing, the entire weekend was a spectacular event. Qatar Duty Free forms dream team with Doha BankSource: ©The Moodie Report - 05/07/10
Dubai Duty Free tops US$607 million in powerful first-half showingSource: ©The Moodie Report - 03/07/10
International passenger numbers surge by double digits in MaySource: ©The Moodie Report - 01/07/10
Wizz expands Middle East presence with new Cairo displaysSource: ©The Moodie Report - 01/07/10
Abu Dhabi Airport passenger traffic climbs by double digitsSource: ©The Moodie Report - 30/06/10
Davidoff Cigarettes embark on a stylish Middle East voyageSource: ©The Moodie Report - 30/06/10
Diageo ‘Summer Spirit’ campaign set to drive footfall and salesSource: ©The Moodie Report - 29/06/10
Emerging markets drive global tourism recovery, says UNWTOSource: ©The Moodie Report - 29/06/10
Cape Blanco captures Dubai Duty Free Irish DerbySource: ©The Moodie Report - 28/06/10
Qatar Airways ‘completes the jigsaw’ with South American debutSource: ©The Moodie Report - 28/06/10
‘The Age Matters’: Chivas Bros launches major consumer campaignSource: ©The Moodie Report - 28/06/10
Dubai Airports posts strong surge in May passenger trafficSource: ©The Moodie Report - 23/06/10
Bahrain Duty Free announces latest ‘Daily Draw’ winnersSource: ©The Moodie Report - 22/06/10
Historic first flight lands at Dubai World CentralSource: ©The Moodie Report - 22/06/10
Cyprus Airports Duty Free attracts 152,000 entries to prize drawSource: ©The Moodie Report - 21/06/10
Dubai Airports makes two key appointments to commercial teamSource: ©The Moodie Report - 20/06/10
The Moodie Report launches new column with The DalmoreSource: ©The Moodie Report - 18/06/10
Qatar Airways Hope School opens in Sichuan ProvinceSource: ©The Moodie Report - 16/06/10
Dubai Duty Free names its second Double MillionaireSource: ©The Moodie Report - 15/06/10
Eight companies pre-qualify for Medina Airport projectSource: ©The Moodie Report - 15/06/10
Bahrain Duty Free launches daily prize draw campaignSource: ©The Moodie Report - 14/06/10
Dubai Duty Free and Dubai Cares team up for major retail philanthropy programmeSource: ©The Moodie Report - 13/06/10
Extraordinary agreement sees Emirates place huge A380 orderSource: ©The Moodie Report - 09/06/10
Imperial Tobacco and Dubai Duty Free draw major prize winnerSource: ©The Moodie Report - 08/06/10
Airline industry set to return to profit in 2010, says bullish IATASource: ©The Moodie Report - 07/06/10
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QATAR/CYPRUS. Aer Rianta International-Middle East (ARI-ME) has named Martin Mullen as Senior Retail Consultant to Qatar Duty Free, moving from his post as CTC-ARI Airports Head of Retail and Marketing, based in Cyprus. Taking up his role in Cyprus is Toni McDonald, whose experience in retailing with ARI dates back to the early years of Moscow Duty Free. Read on for details.
INTERNATIONAL. The first six months of 2010 saw international tourist arrivals grow by +7%, according to the August Interim Update of the UNWTO World Tourism Barometer. This result confirms the recovery trend which began in the last quarter of 2009, and is expected to continue in the second half of the year at a somewhat more moderate rate. 
BAHRAIN. Bahrain Duty Free has announced the latest winner of its popular Win & Choose car raffle. The winning ticket holder, Essam Mohamood Ahmed from Egypt , chose a Lexus LX570 as a prize. Only 1,000 tickets were available for the draw, priced at BHD50 (US$133) each, with sales online and in the retailer's stores.
INTERNATIONAL. Passenger traffic at the world’s airports continued to rebound in July, according to the latest figures from Airports Council International (ACI). International passenger numbers surged by +9.5% year-on-year, with total traffic growing by +6.9%, a slower rate than in previous months. Asia Pacific and Latin America-Caribbean each posted impressive growth of +14% in the month. 
SAUDI ARABIA. King Fahd International Airport (KFIA) has completed the successful first-stage revamp of its dining offer, including the introduction of the Middle East’s first airport Krispy Kreme outlets. Through 2010 and 2011 KFIA will unveil further new shopping and dining concepts to cater to the airport’s increasing passenger numbers.
QATAR. Qatar Airways has announced further expansion to its Indian network with a +20% increase in frequency covering the cities of Delhi, Cochin and Amritsar from next month. With a total of 14 additional flights being phased in over a period of two months, Qatar Airways’ capacity to India will increase from 74 to 88 services each week. 
INTERNATIONAL. International passenger demand surged by +9.2% year-on-year in July (measured in Revenue Passenger Kilometres), according to the latest figures from the International Air Transport Association (IATA). Crucially, July global passenger traffic was +3% higher than the pre-crisis levels of early 2008. IATA chief Giovanni Bisignani says: “Improving demand is an important component of the recovery. But it must translate to the bottom line."
UAE. Dubai International Airport has reported record passenger numbers for July, with volumes passing 4 million for the first time ever. The Middle Eastern hub handled 4.3 million passengers in the month, up by +14.3% on July 2009, with the strongest growth coming from Eastern Europe, Asia Pacific and Russia & CIS routes. Dubai Airports CEO Paul Griffiths says: “This is an important milestone that reflects the consistent growth we have seen over the past years."
MIDDLE EAST. The Middle East Duty Free Association (MEDFA) and TFWA are finalising the programme for the annual MEDFA Conference, which will take place at the Mena House Oberoi Hotel overlooking the Great Pyramid of Giza in Cairo on 28-29 November. Under the theme ‘Reality and Opportunity,’ the speakers will examine current performance and challenges in the region and prospects for the future.
UK/INTERNATIONAL. Last month’s Airline Retail Conference (ARC), the first to be held since new organisers Ink Publishing took over the event, offered some useful pointers about the future direction of the rapidly changing inflight channel. We present a special Picture Gallery and a video capturing some of the highlights of the two-day event. 
UK/INTERNATIONAL. Travel Retail Training has announced its speaker line-up for the ispyPLUS inflight retail conference, which takes place on 15–17 September. The event runs alongside the key ISPY cabin crew event, which runs from 13-17 September. 
INTERNATIONAL. Dufry Group plans to open close to 20,000sq m of new retail space in 2010, covering 152 stores, CEO Julián Díaz told analysts after Thursday’s half-year results announcement. More than half of the stores will open in Q3 and Q4, with a strong contribution from Dufry’s Hudson acquisition. Díaz also reiterated the retailer’s desire to expand in emerging markets, with Russia, China and India of particular interest. 
BAHRAIN. Bahrain Duty Free Shops has reported a strong +9.6% rise year-on-year in consolidated sales for the first six months of 2010, with net profit increasing by +13.5%. Passenger numbers increased by just +2.7%. Basic earnings per share for the six months increased by +13.6%. Spend per head and penetration levels also posted healthy rises. 
DUBAI. Chivas Regal has installed a new lightbox advertising display featuring the latest execution of its ‘Live With Chivalry’ advertising campaign at Dubai International Airport. “As one of the world’s busiest and most culturally diverse airports, Dubai is an obvious location for Chivas Regal to promote the next instalment of the ‘Live With Chivalry’ campaign,” said Pernod Ricard Gulf Marketing Controller John O’Sullivan.
UAE. Duty free retail turnover at Abu Dhabi International Airport grew by +19% year-on-year during the first half of 2010 to US$75 million. This figure was driven by an impressive +7.2% rise in per-passenger spend to US$14.47. Abu Dhabi Airports Company Chief Commercial Officer Huraiz Almur bin Huraiz says: “Retail spending at our airport is significantly stronger than passenger growth (+11.7%), a clear sign that we are succeeding in encouraging travellers to spend more."
INTERNATIONAL. London Heathrow, Paris Charles de Gaulle and Hong Kong International were the top three airports ranked by international passenger numbers in 2009. That’s according to Airports Council International’s (ACI) World Airport Traffic Report for the year, just released. The top-ranked airport by total passengers numbers was Atlanta (mainly domestic US), while a remarkable 17 of the 25 fastest growing airports were in China.
UAE. A powerful new initiative between Diageo GTME, Dubai Duty Free and Dubai Airports Company – creating the first ever alcohol sampling event at the regional hub – has taken ‘Trinity’ cooperation to a new level, says the brand owner. The ‘Mentorship Experience’ provides the shopper with a tailored, private, one-to-one tutorial of Diageo’s portfolio of luxury brands, beginning at Dubai International Airport with Johnnie Walker Double Black, and delivering what the partners call “an unprecedented shopper experience”. 
UAE. Dubai Duty Free Managing Director Colm McLoughlin has been named The Moodie Report Personality of the Month for July, in association with The Dalmore Single Malt Scotch Whisky. McLoughlin, a key driving force behind the company’s remarkable rise since 1983, has spearheaded its strong double-digit growth in the year to date.
ITALY/INTERNATIONAL. International travel retail-to-catering giant Autogrill today posted a +5.4% increase in first-half consolidated revenues to €2,800.3 million (+4.2% at comparable rates). Consolidated EBITDA reached €265.7 million, +3.5% on the first half of 2009 (+2.3% at comparable rates).
FRANCE. LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton, the world’s leading luxury products group, recorded revenue of €9.1 billion in the first half of 2010, up +16%, boosted by double-digit organic revenue growth in all business units. The Selective Distribution division, which includes leading travel retailer DFS, saw a +14% upswing in first-half revenue and recorded growth of +36% in profit from recurring operations.
UAE. Abu Dhabi International Airport passenger traffic climbed by +11.7% year-on-year in the first half of 2010, Abu Dhabi Airports Company (ADAC) has reported. The top routes from Abu Dhabi in the half were London, Bangkok, Doha, Manila and Bahrain, accounting for 20% of total passenger traffic. 
DUBAI. Dubai Duty Free has been named Brand of the Year by Superbrands Middle East. “Dubai Duty Free has overcome the challenges faced by the global airport retail sector with its innovative promotions and initiatives, which have proven to be a huge success,” said Superbrands Middle East Director Mike English.
DUBAI. Dubai Duty Free has retained its position as the single largest airport retail operation in the world, based on analysis released by Generation Research. For the second year running Dubai Duty Free (with US$1.14 billion of sales in 2009) ranks ahead of London Heathrow Airport, with Incheon International Airport retaining third position.
OMAN. FMG, the operator of Munich Airport, has been awarded a new four-and-a-half year contract for the commissioning, relocation and operation of two airports in the Sultanate of Oman. FMG emerged with the winning bid from a large field of competitors to gain the largest consulting contract in the company's history.
QATAR. Qatar Airways again underlined its ambitions by purchasing two Bombardier Global 5000 aircraft in a US$90 million deal on the opening day of the Farnborough Air Show in UK this week. The new jets are set to join the airline’s 12-month old corporate jet subsidiary Qatar Executive, which capitalises on the growing Middle East corporate market.
INTERNATIONAL. Scheduled airline passenger traffic will leap by +6.4% year-on-year in 2010, with Asia Pacific taking a lead role, according to the latest report by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO). The figures, which are measured in passenger-kilometres performed (PKPs), compare to a decline of -2% in 2009.
INTERNATIONAL. Leading aircraft manufacturer Boeing forecasts a US$3.6 trillion market for new commercial aeroplanes over the next 20 years as world economies rebound and demand for new and replacement aircraft spurs growth. Asia Pacific, with China leading the way, will play a major role in driving growth, according to the Boeing 2010 Current Market Outlook.
BAHRAIN. As part of its continuing drive to encourage and motivate in the workplace, leading Middle East travel retailer Bahrain Duty Free has recognised the achievements of staff with a special series of service awards. Bahrain Duty Free Head of Human Resources Adel Redha says: “Human resources is the most important factor in achieving goals and improving productivity.”
MEXICO/FRANCE. Experienced duty free executive Virginie Marquet has joined José Cuervo Group in a senior role, where she is responsible for European duty free and the Middle East markets, as well as managing the company's business in France. 
TURKEY. TAV Airports Holding, the leading Turkish airports group, has reported a +13% surge in first-half passengers across its national and international operations, to a total of 21.25 million. The figures were buoyed by a +15% surge in international passengers to 12.5 million – good news for the group’s ATÜ Duty Free joint venture.
BAHRAIN. Bahrain Duty Free has announced the latest seven winners of its ‘Daily Draw' summer promotional campaign ‘Win a Holiday Every Day’, held during the third week of June. Each of the winners was awarded with a five-day holiday package for two people to Sharm El Sheikh-Egypt, with special flights onboard Royal Jordanian Airlines.
UAE. Citizen has rolled out an extensive advertising campaign at Dubai and Sharjah international airports with JCDecauxMEA, the exclusive advertising concessionaire of the two airports. The Japanese watch brand is eyeing growth in the Gulf market and aims to strengthen its corporate branding via the campaign.
QATAR. Qatar Duty Free has teamed with Doha Bank to allow the latter's Dream Card-holding shoppers the opportunity to win a combined QR40,000 worth of shopping vouchers. The two-month promotional campaign, which runs to the end of August, also includes a unique cash back offer. Read on for details and pictures.
UAE. Toy and gadget specialist Wizz has installed two gondolas in the duty free toy section of Cairo International Airport, one in T1 and the other in T3, as the company expands in the Middle East. Wizz merchandise has been available in Cairo Airport since May, but the branded gondolas will create a more focused offer for travellers, it said.
MIDDLE EAST. Imperial Tobacco has launched its 2010 promotion for Davidoff Cigarettes at key airports in the Middle East. Designed to maximise the impact of the new premium Davidoff pack design, the promotion uses the latest technology.
INTERNATIONAL. Diageo Global Travel & Middle East (GTME) has launched its global summer campaign, named ‘Take Your Summer Spirit With You’, which aims to increase footfall and sales in global travel retail. The campaign will run across the group’s core portfolio, and with key retail partners at airports, cruise ships and border stores. 
INTERNATIONAL. International tourist arrivals grew by +7% in the first four months of 2010, driven partly by a strong rise in numbers among emerging markets. That’s according to the latest issue of the UNWTO World Tourism Barometer. The Middle East posted growth of +33% in the period, with Asia Pacific also performing well (+12%), though the figures compare with a weak 2009. 
IRELAND. The Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby took place at The Curragh racecourse in Ireland on Sunday, won by the Aidan O’Brien-trained Cape Blanco. It’s the third year that the world’s biggest duty free retailer at a single location has sponsored the event, generating huge media exposure around the world. In addition, Dubai Duty Free Managing Director Colm McLoughlin was honoured for his, and the company’s, services to Irish racing when he was made an Honorary Member of the Irish Turf Club. 
QATAR. Another chapter in the extraordinary Qatar Airways saga is written as the airline launches daily flights to Brazil and Argentina. “This is a momentous occasion for Qatar Airways,” says CEO Akbar Al Baker. “Both Brazil and Argentina share close ties with Qatar and with our new routes, we will reinforce and strengthen the relationship we already share."
INTERNATIONAL. Chivas Brothers has launched a global consumer campaign to highlight the importance of age statements on Scotch whiskies. ‘The Age Matters’ campaign begins in travel retail before being rolled out across domestic markets. Chivas Brothers Chairman and CEO Christian Porta tells The Moodie Report about the importance of the campaign. 
UAE. Dubai International Airport posted a +13.6% surge in passenger traffic in May, the eleventh month in a row of double-digit traffic growth. Dubai Airports CEO Paul Griffiths said he expects traffic to break previous records in the summer months ahead.
BAHRAIN. Bahrain Duty Free has announced the latest seven winners of its ‘Daily Draw' summer promotional campaign, titled ‘Win a Holiday Every Day’. Each of the winners receives a trip to Sharm el-Sheikh with Royal Jordanian Airlines. 
UAE. Dubai Airports paved the way for the opening of Dubai World Central–Al Maktoum International Airport with the first flight into the facility on Monday. The new airport, which will open in phases in the coming years, will begin cargo operations on 27 June. Passenger operations are slated to open in March 2011. 
CYPRUS. Cyprus Airports Duty Free Shops, operated by CTC-ARI Airports, attracted an incredible 152,000 entries for its latest prize draw promotion: a trip for two to the World Cup Final in South Africa. The company is building on its strong track record for prize promotions and draws, which are helping to drive penetration and spend at Larnaka and Pafos airports.
UAE. Dubai Airports has made two key appointments to its commercial team: Nader Ghazzawi has been appointed Head of Commercial Contracts, and Cian O’Sullivan has been appointed Head of Retail Concessions. The moves are part of a drive to enhance revenues and customer service, says Dubai Airports. 
INTERNATIONAL. The Moodie Report will launch a regular new feature in the coming days: The Moodie Report Personality of the Month, in association with The Dalmore Single Malt Scotch Whisky. The column aims to recognise those individuals who by their deeds, attitudes and behaviour have advanced the industry’s cause.
CHINA/QATAR. In a strong statement of its Corporate Social Responsibility credentials, Qatar Airways, in partnership with the China Youth Development Foundation (CYDF), has helped rebuild a school in Sichuan Province, China, which was hit by a massive earthquake in 2008. The school reopened this week.
UAE. Dubai Duty Free has created its second ever Double Millionaire, with a Lebanese national scooping the US$2 million top prize in one of the retailer’s most sought after promotional draws. In a neat twist, the winner, a regular participant in Dubai Duty Free’s draws, won the prize of a BMW car in a competition at the airport 17 years ago.
SAUDI ARABIA. Eight airport companies have pre-qualified for a forthcoming tender to build a new terminal at Medina Prince Mohammed Bin Abdulaziz Airport. The tender is scheduled for September, with a winner to be announced in November, and work on the US$1.5 billion project will begin in the first quarter of 2011.
BAHRAIN. Bahrain Duty Free has created an innovative new daily prize draw, with winners being chosen each day during June and July. The retailer has just chosen the first seven winners of its summer campaign ‘Win a Holiday Every Day’. Each winner wins a five-day holiday package for two persons to Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt.
UAE. Dubai Duty Free has built on its enviable record for corporate social responsibility by teaming up with philanthropic body Dubai Cares to launch a range of retail merchandise at Dubai International Airport. Managing Director Colm McLoughlin said: “In addition to raising funds for Dubai Cares, the merchandise, which will be seen by the many millions of passengers using Dubai International Airport, will help raise awareness of Dubai Cares and all of the good work that it undertakes.” 
UAE. Dubai-based Emirates yesterday placed a US$11.5 billion order with Airbus for an additional 32 A380 aircraft. The extraordinary deal takes the carrier’s total firm orders for the super-jumbos to 90. "Our latest commitment signals Emirates’ confidence in the growth to come in a thriving aviation sector as we build our fleet for tomorrow,” said Emirates Airline Chairman and Chief Executive His Highness (H.H.) Sheikh Ahmed Bin Saeed Al-Maktoum. 
UAE. A major promotion involving Imperial Tobacco and Dubai Duty Free culminated in a recent prize draw, won by a Dubai-based Indian national. He won a trip for two to Venice following the Davidoff Black & White ‘Journey of a Lifetime’ campaign.