Our regular feature celebrates memorable scenes, moments, launches and campaigns related to the global aviation and travel retail sphere.
OMAN. Today’s selection honours a landmark anniversary for prominent Middle East travel retailer Muscat Duty Free which turns 20 today.
What a journey that has been over the past two decades.
Here are some of the highlights, as documented by The Moodie Davitt Report.
- 2004: Muscat Duty Free launches the Middle East’s first bilingual duty free web site
- 2006: The retailer is named the Masterfoods Middle East Award for Gulf Duty Free Retailer of the year
- 2011: A new-look shopping environment is unveiled at Muscat International Airport, following an extensive re-fit and refurbishment of the main 1,600sq m store.
- 2011: Ahead of its time, the retailer introduces new polyethylene biodegradable shopping bags.
- 2014: Underlining its constant commitment to Corporate Social Responsibility, Muscat Duty Free holds a 10km charity walk on 1 February to raise money for victims of the devastating typhoon in the Philippines.
- 2016: Aer Rianta International wins the bid for the duty free concession at New Muscat International Airport.
- 2018: Muscat Duty Free reveals new branding on the eve of Muscat International Airport’s new terminal opening.
- 2018: Muscat Duty Free opens a high-class shopping complex at the new terminal, offering 6,200sq m of space, almost three times the retail area of the old terminal.
- 2018: The Grand Opening of the spectacular new facility takes place on National Day under the patronage of His Highness Sayyid Fahd bin Mahmoud Al Said, Deputy Prime Minister for Oman’s Council of Ministers.
- 2019: Muscat Duty Free hosts the annual Middle East & Africa Duty Free Association (MEADFA) conference.
- 2021: Read my lips: Muscat Duty Free celebrates World Lipstick Day on 29 July with a range of exuberant events and marketing activities.
- 2022: In another brilliant promotion, Muscat Duty Free launches a creative marketing campaign featuring an airport passenger bus redesigned to resemble a plane, sparking a wave of consumer and media awareness and interest. The restyled bus in Muscat Duty Free livery travels through the streets of Muscat, passing 399 station stops, carrying travellers from across the Governorate of Muscat to and from Muscat International Airport.
- 2022: Aer Rianta International appoints Renat Rozpravka as Chief Executive Officer of Muscat Duty Free.
- 2023: Muscat Duty Free launches its new-look website with a fresh design and enhanced consumer offer.
- 2023-2043: The journey continues. ✈
