Qatar Duty Free ushers in the Chinese New Year with exclusive travel retail promotions

Qatar Duty Free has ushered in the lucky year of the Horse this Chinese New Year with themed promotions all through January and February in 2014. Being held in two locations on level one of Doha International Airport, the promotion has been designed exclusively for travellers from mainland China, Hong Kong and other parts of the region. Qatar Airways Chief Executive Officer, Akbar al Baker was joined by the Chinese Ambassador to Qatar, H.E. Gao Youzhen, and CEO of UnionPay International, Cai Jianbo, to officially commemorate the inaugural promotion.


With travellers from China representing a significant and increasingly growing portion of its high-spending consumer base, QDF has partnered with UnionPay International, China’s preferred payment option, to provide its Chinese customers with ease of mind and familiar purchasing options during the festive season.

QDF’s annual Chinese New Year promotion, which has featured a dedicated retail area for the third year running, and its collaboration this year with UnionPay International, is a testament to the company’s commitment to grow its Chinese consumer segment. It also acts as a strong conduit in strengthening trade ties between Qatar and China.

Commenting on the occasion, Qatar Airways CEO Akbar Al Baker said, “Qatar Duty Free would like to wish our Chinese consumers a happy and prosperous Chinese New Year. In line with this special occasion, QDF is offering travellers a range of exciting offers across a wide variety of products that are popular during the festive season. This year, we are pleased to collaborate with UnionPay International to make the Chinese New Year promotion even more rewarding and attractive for our consumers”.

While observing the attractively decorated Chinese themed pavilion, Mr. CaiJianbo, CEO of UnionPay International said: “As a popular international hub, Doha International Airport has been receiving an increasing number of Chinese passengers by almost 20% each year, and most of them are UnionPay card holders. UnionPay International collaborated with QDF thisChinese New Year with the aim of providing amazing travel experiences to our card holders, who are going back to their homeland for the New Year from mainly Europe, Middle East and Africa. UnionPay International continuously strives to collaborate with QDF to provide the best services to the UnionPay card holders.”

According to Qatar Duty Free Senior Vice-President Keith Hunter, the promotion thus far has been extremely well receivedby Chinese passengers travelling via Doha, especially across categories such as fragrances, skincare, tobacco, luxury watches, gifts and souvenirs.

“Qatar Duty Free has been pioneering unique retail offers that cater to a multicultural portfolio of travellers. We have built our reputation through an emphasis on strong tailored promotions and a focus on high-end retail executions that truly evoke a sense of excitement amongst our customers. The exclusive Chinese New Year promotion allows QDF to build our affinity with Chinese customers who are incredibly well-travelled and possess discerning travel retail expectations”, added Hunter.

During the promotion, all passengers transiting at Doha International Airport will receive an 8% discount coupon, which can be redeemed exclusively in the Chinese New Year-themed areas. In addition, passengers who spend QR 500 (US$ 138) or more on duty free purchases will receive a 15% discount on any subsequent purchase at Qatar Duty Free. Passengers who are using their UnionPay cardto make purchases in excess of QR 1000 (USD 274) will not only benefit from the 15% discount coupon, but also enjoy an exclusive QR 50 gift voucher.