MIDDLE EAST
Autogrill overcomes disruptions to post sound revenue and profits growth in first halfSource: ©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
World's leading airlines sign up for ARC 2010, say organisersSource: ©The Moodie Report - 04/06/10
Ash crisis hits April international passenger numbers hard – ACISource: ©The Moodie Report - 03/06/10
MasterCard sees rebound in Asia Pacific and Middle East travelSource: ©The Moodie Report - 01/06/10
Bahrain Duty Free draws World Cup promotion winnersSource: ©The Moodie Report - 31/05/10
CTC-ARI Airports scores with World Cup Football promotionSource: ©The Moodie Report - 30/05/10
Emerging categories flourish at new Larnaka International AirportSource: ©The Moodie Report - 27/05/10
International air travel falls by -2.4% in AprilSource: ©The Moodie Report - 27/05/10
Dubai International Airport posts strong surge in April trafficSource: ©The Moodie Report - 26/05/10
Amouage makes senior sales appointmentSource: ©The Moodie Report - 20/05/10
Dufry posts strong Q1 organic sales, profits growthSource: ©The Moodie Report - 20/05/10
ACI honours ASQ award winners at Hainan ceremonySource: ©The Moodie Report - 18/05/10
MEDFA Conference 2010 to focus on ‘Reality and Opportunity’Source: ©The Moodie Report - 17/05/10
Qatar Airways extends management contract between Aer Rianta International–Middle East and Qatar Duty FreeSource: ©The Moodie Report - 16/05/10
Bahrain Duty Free posts strong surge in Q1 revenuesSource: ©The Moodie Report - 14/05/10
ADAC launches Shop-Dine-Unwind retail brandSource: ©The Moodie Report - 11/05/10
Dubai Duty Free wins key Business Traveller awardSource: ©The Moodie Report - 08/05/10
Qatar Duty Free named Travel Retailer of the Year at DFNI AwardsSource: ©The Moodie Report - 06/05/10
International traffic surges in March, but ACI warns that ash disruption will cloud April resultsSource: ©The Moodie Report - 05/05/10
Qatar Airways forges ahead with global expansionSource: ©The Moodie Report - 05/05/10
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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). “In the first half we maintained our cash flow generation at consistent levels and recorded good sales growth in all our business segments, despite traffic trends which continue to be fairly volatile,” said Autogrill CEO Gianmario Tondato Da Ruos. “The summer is off to a good start and we expect to see a performance in line with our forecasts.”
INTERNATIONAL. International passenger demand among the world’s airlines climbed by +11.9% year-on-year in June, the International Air Transport Association (IATA) has reported. “There is no indication that the recovery will stall soon,” said IATA CEO Giovanni Bisignani. “But, with government stimulus packages tailing off and restocking largely completed, we expect some slowing over the months ahead.” 
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. Dubai International Airport has reported a +16.3% year-on-year surge in passenger traffic for the first half of 2010, to 22.55 million. June passenger volumes climbed by +9.6% to 3.68 million. The strong figures are helping to underpin another year of growth at the airport’s key retail operation, Dubai Duty Free. 
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.
INTERNATIONAL. International passenger numbers climbed by +10.3% year-on-year at airports worldwide in May, according to the latest ACI figures. The best regional results were seen in Latin America/Caribbean (+32% international and +18% domestic) and Asia Pacific (+18.5% international and +11% domestic).
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.
INTERNATIONAL. Decision makers from the world’s top ten airlines – and many others – have signed up to attend the 2010 Airline Retail Conference, which takes place on 20/21 July at the Sofitel London Heathrow Hotel. That’s according to the organisers of the ARC event, which aims to attract airlines, key concessionaires and brand owners.
EUROPE. Airports Council International (ACI) has reported the first monthly global decline in passenger traffic since July 2009 for the month of April. This was driven by the widespread closure of European airspace following the volcanic ash eruption in Iceland. “April results put a sobering brake on the growth trajectory to which the industry had returned,” says ACI World Director of Economics Andreas Schimm.
ASIA PACIFIC/MIDDLE EAST. One in four consumers in Asia Pacific plans a vacation in the next six months, based on the latest MasterCard survey. A rebound in travel spending is also expected in the Middle East. Intraregional travel continues to lead demand. In Africa the outbound market is also picking up strongly.
BAHRAIN. Bahrain Duty Free has drawn the winners of its latest major prize draw promotion, this time offering the chance to go to the football World Cup in South Africa, which begins next week. The two winners were a Bahraini and an Indian national. 
CYPRUS. Travel retailer CTC-ARI Airports reports encouraging success for its new in-store promotion at Larnaka International Airport, which celebrates the FIFA Football World Cup. The campaign puts consumers' footballing skills to the test in an innovative way of driving footfall, penetration and spend. The Moodie Report was on location in Larnaka and, in a unique filmed experiment, put the sporting prowess of CTC-ARI Airports Head of Retail & Marketing Martin Mullen under the microscope. 
CYPRUS. Commercial sales at the new Larnaka International Airport have begun encouragingly, despite soft British traffic and spend and recent disruption from the Icelandic volcano ash crisis. May retail sales have boomed, driven by a much-enhanced spend per head. That in turn is being driven by non-core categories that were enhanced or added at the new terminal when it opened last November.
OMAN. Oman Perfumery has appointed Ross Donald as Senior Sales and Marketing Manager of Amouage, effective 23 May. He replaces Sayed Javed, who is returning to India to set up his own business.
INTERNATIONAL. Dufry today posted a +15.7% revenue increase for the first quarter at constant exchange rates. EBITDA rose +20.7% at constant rates and by +11.6% in Swiss Francs. CEO Julián Díaz said: “We have increased our profitability although the economic environment has not yet shown signs of full recovery. We are very pleased with our performance and will remain focused on our target to enhance it.”
CHINA/INTERNATIONAL. Airports Council International (ACI) honoured the winners of its prestigious Airports Service Quality (ASQ) Awards at a ceremony in Hainan, China, last week. Incheon International Airport received its award for Best Airport Worldwide, which it won for the fifth year in a row. Read on for details and images of the event.
MIDDLE EAST. This year’s MEDFA Conference takes place in Cairo on 28-29 November, with the theme: ‘Reality and Opportunity’. The event will cast the spotlight on the challenges and opportunities in Egyptian duty free, which now ranks as the second largest market after the UAE in the Middle East region. 
QATAR. Qatar Airways today announced the extension of the duty free management contract between Qatar Duty Free and Aer Rianta International–Middle East (ARI-ME). The management contract (which also includes Qatar Distribution Company) will continue until the New Doha International Airport is operational.
BAHRAIN. Bahrain Duty Free Shops has announced a strong revenue increase in the first quarter of 2010, with total consolidated sales rising by +16% year-on-year to US$21 million, while net profit increased by +19.3%.
UAE. Abu Dhabi Airports Company (ADAC) launched its new Shop-Dine-Unwind brand at a special event at TFWA Asia Pacific in Singapore on Tuesday. Designed to replace the Abu Dhabi Duty Free brand, Shop-Dine-Unwind marks the beginning of a more internationally focused retail strategy, said ADAC.
UAE. Dubai Duty Free has won the ‘Best Duty Free Shopping’ award for the ninth consecutive year at the Business Traveller Middle East awards ceremony, which was held in Dubai on the eve of the Arabian Travel Market 2010.
INTERNATIONAL. Qatar Duty Free has scooped top prize at the Duty-Free News International Awards for Travel Retail Excellence, taking the title Travel Retailer of the Year 2010. Nominated for the first time, the Qatar Airways subsidiary beat strong competition from DFS Group, Dubai Duty Free and Nuance-Watson (Singapore). 
UAE. Qatar Airways has reinforced its long-term commitment to growth with continued investment in new aircraft, new routes and improving airport infrastructure ahead of next year’s opening of the New Doha International Airport. The seven new routes launched in 2010 include its first foray into South America, while June sees the launch of flights to Barcelona, Sao Paulo and Buenos Aires. This month, the award-winning airline also prepares to take delivery of its first Boeing 777 freighter.