Qatar Duty Free (QDF) has been awarded ‘Airport Retailer of the Year’ at the DFNI Global Awards 2018 that took place recently at the Royal Lancaster Hotel in London.

The DFNI Global Awards are selected by a judging panel of industry leaders and experts, who recognise and accolade international retailers for being best-in-class.

QDF is one of the largest duty free retailers in the world, with more than 90 boutiques and luxury, high-end stores, as well as more than 30 restaurants and cafés covering an area of 40,000sqm at Hamad International Airport (HIA), home to QDF.

QDF boasts many renowned international luxury brands, including Gucci, Bulgari, Hermès, Giorgio Armani, Hugo Boss, Moncler, Rolex, and Harrods.

Head of Qatar Duty Free Thabet Musleh said: “We are honoured and delighted to be awarded ‘Airport Retailer of the Year’ at the DFNI Global Awards 2018. This tremendous accomplishment reflects the five-star shopping experience we offer to all our passengers at QDF, and makes our duty free offering an experience worth travelling for. We will continue to push boundaries to ensure that our passengers’ experience is exceptional each time they pass through our home and hub, HIA.”

QDF was the Gold Sponsor for two categories at the DFNI Global Awards 2018, ‘Best New Product’ and ‘Best New Product Packaging’. The ‘Best New Product’ category, won by WorldSIM, focused on several judging factors including, the commercial success, quality, and brand appeal of the product. ‘Best New Product Packaging’, won by Champagne Lanson, was judged on the concept, design, quality, and brand visibility.

QDF is committed to providing passengers with a memorable five-star experience at HIA. The innovative duty free operator is now the second-largest duty free operator in the Middle East.

HIA is one of the world’s most technologically-advanced airports with expansive retail options, a wide range of dining facilities, exclusive lounges, and a hotel and wellness centre including a gym, squash court, swimming pool and spa. Accommodating more than 30 million passengers each year, HIA redefines passengers’ expectations by offering a world-class experience.

HIA has already met a number of significant milestones in 2018, including being ranked fifth ‘Best Airport in the World’ at the Skytrax World Airport Awards 2018. The award-winning airport moved up one place from last year, having received the title of sixth ‘Best Airport in the World’ at the Skytrax World Airport Awards in 2017.

HIA is the only airport in the Middle East in the world’s top 10 airports of 2018. At the annual awards ceremony, HIA also took home the title of ‘Best Airport in the Middle East’ for the fourth year in a row and ‘Best Staff Service in the Middle East’ for the third year in a row.

Named 2017 Airline of the Year by Skytrax, the national carrier of the state of Qatar is one of the fastest-growing airlines operating one of the youngest fleets in the world. In 2018-2019, Qatar Airways will be adding many more exciting destinations to its network, including London Gatwick and Cardiff, UK; Tallinn, Estonia; Valletta, Malta; Cebu and Davao, the Philippines; Langkawi, Malaysia; Da Nang, Vietnam; Bodrum and Antalya, Turkey; Mykonos, Greece; and Málaga, Spain.

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