Qatar Duty Free Celebrates Chinese New Year

Doha, January 18 (QNA) - Qatar Duty Free, a subsidiary of Qatar Airways (QA), is celebrating Chinese New Year with an exclusive Chinese-themed promotion this month at Doha International Airport (DIA). Announcing this in a media statement QA said, To compliment the festive spirit and atmosphere of the Chinese New Year celebrations, the promotional area of the Departures Terminal has been decorated with oriental designs offering an array of popular products for Chinese consumers across various categories including fragrances, cosmetics, skincare, luxury watches, gifts and souvenirs. Chinese New Year is the most significant date on the Chinese calendar, celebrated not only in China, but across the Asia Pacific, from Japan to Singapore. The year 2012 is special as it is the Year of the Dragon, signifying good fortune and prosperity. QA Chief Executive Officer Akbar Al Baker hailed the efforts of Qatar Duty Free for coming up with such an innovative promotion and providing Chinese travellers with a memorable shopping experience at Doha International Airport. "China is a huge market for Qatar Airways and, on behalf of our airline in celebration of Chinese New Year, we offer our best wishes for a very happy and prosperous New Year," he said. QA, the national airline of the State of Qatar, flies to five destinations across China - Beijing, Shanghai, Hong Kong, Guangzhou and Chongqing with a total frequency of 35 flights each week. Qatar Airways Duty Free Senior Vice-President Keith Hunter, said, "Traditional red colour which signifies good fortune and joy has been used to design the promotional area and every customer making a purchase is given a 'red envelope' with a discount coupon as a token of appreciation." There has been a steady growth in the number of Chinese passengers transiting through Doha International Airport in the last few years and, as part of the New Year promotion, they can avail offers on products with chances to win gift vouchers, avail scratch and win offers and many other gifts. According to the 2011 China Luxury Report, jointly released by the Research Centre for Luxury Goods and Services at Beijing's University of International Business and Economics (UIBE) and lifestyle magazine Fortune Character, over half of luxury purchases made by Chinese consumers take place overseas, and more than 50% of those are made in foreign duty free shops. China is the world's fastest growing economy today. Qatar Duty Free operates 2,500sqm of retail space within the departures, arrivals, VIP lounge and the Premium Terminal of Doha International Airport. Qatar Duty Free is one of the Middle East s outstanding success stories in recent years, investing more than US$1 million in refurbishing the existing retail facilities within the departures and arrivals area. (QNA)