UAE. Dubai Duty Free Executive Vice Chairman & CEO Colm McLoughlin was honoured with a Lifetime Achievement Award at the eighth Middle East Hospitality Awards (MEHA), which were held on 18 September at The Ritz Carlton, Dubai.
McLoughlin was awarded for his contribution in shaping Dubai’s tourism, hospitality and retail sectors. The award also recognised McLoughlin’s commitment to promoting Dubai globally through the many high-profile sponsorships of Dubai Duty Free.
The award was presented by last year’s awardee Gerald Lawless, former President and CEO of the Jumeirah Group and immediate-past chair of the World Travel and Trade Council.
McLoughlin said: “I am thrilled and delighted that I have been selected to receive this award. I attribute it absolutely and totally to our team of staff and the effort they make in making our business successful and of course to my chairman HH Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, who has been a terrific support at Dubai Duty Free and our other operations since the beginning.”
McLoughlin noted that the airport retailer spends 2.5% of its annual turnover, which in 2018 reached US$2.015 billion, in promoting Dubai Duty Free and the city of Dubai.
Speaking about the importance of the hospitality industry in Dubai, McLoughlin said: “36 years ago there were two or three thousand hotel rooms in Dubai. We have seen a big change from that in the industry. Dubai’s hotel room supply alone is expected to reach 132,000 in 2019, with the Emirate aiming to complete 160,000 hotel rooms by October 2020.”
He added: “Like shopping malls, airlines and roadworks, the hotel industry is part and parcel of the system that is essential in promoting tourism and visitors to Dubai.” He attributed the growth of Dubai and its hospitality sector to “Dubai Government’s positive and definite attitude to make it work and make it the best in the world”.
The Middle East Hospitality Awards gathered the region’s hospitality professionals to celebrate the most outstanding properties, projects and people in the Middle Eastern industry. It was held in conjunction with the 20th edition of The Hotel Show Dubai, and is part of the Middle East Design and Hospitality Week.
Speaking about the relevance of trade shows like The Hotel Show for the hospitality, travel and tourism industries in Dubai, McLoughlin said: “I think long-term events like the Hotel Show Dubai, now in its 20th year, are successful. The story has to continue all the time. It is the continued growth of shows like this that encourages so many visitors to come to Dubai.”
At the event, McLoughlin was accompanied by his wife Breeda, Dubai Duty Free Executive Vice President – Corporate Services Salah Tahlak and Senior Vice President – Finance Bernard Creed.
As reported, Colm McLoughlin celebrated his 50th anniversary in the duty free industry on 1 June this year.
He has been the recipient of many awards over the years recognising his outstanding leadership and service, and is considered the driving force behind Dubai Duty Free’s US$2 billion business. [That story was marked in a special eZine published last year celebrating the company’s 35th anniversary.]
