Dubai Duty Free was named the Middle East’s Leading Airport Duty Free Operator at the 26th Annual Middle East Gala Ceremony for World Travel Awards held at Warner Bros. World in Abu Dhabi on 25th April.

Established in 1993, the World Travel Awards acknowledge, reward and celebrate excellence across all key sectors of the travel, tourism and hospitality industries. The Middle East Gala is the region’s prestigious travel and tourism event of the year and attended by leading industry figureheads and VIP’s from across Arabia.

Dubai Duty Free came out tops in the online vote from travel professionals and industry voters and beat stiff competition to emerge the winner.

Commenting on the award, Dubai Duty Free’s Executive Vice Chairman & CEO, Colm McLoughlin said, We are delighted to be singled out as the region’s leading duty free operator at the Middle East World Travel Awards. This award is based on the opinions of professionals from the travel industry and it is good to know that we received their vote of confidence.

Salah Tahlak, Executive Vice President for Corporate Services of Dubai Duty Free, accepted the award on behalf of the operation from Graham Cooke, Founder, World Travel Awards.

The Middle East Gala Ceremony marks the opening leg of the World Travel Awards 2019 Grand Tour - a year-long global search for the world’s finest travel, tourism and hospitality organisations,. With Dubai Duty Free’s successful win in the Regional category, the airport retailer is automatically included in the World’s Leading Airport Duty Free Category and will be invited to the Grand Final, which will take place in the Royal Opera House Muscat on 28th November.