Business & Finance Group - Tourism - 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.

The company, which achieved record sales of US$1.14 billion in 2009, came out on top in a readers’ survey conducted by the magazine within the category ‘Best Airport in the Middle East for Duty Free Shopping’. The awards ceremony, which was held at the Jumeirah Emirates Towers and organised by Motivate Publishing, brought together leading executives from the travel and tourism industry.

Dubai Duty Free Managing Director Colm McLoughlin said: “I am delighted to receive this award for the ninth consecutive year. These awards reflect the views of frequent and discerning travellers and, as such, it as a great compliment and an endorsement of the operation that we continue to win. My thanks to H.H. Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, President of Dubai Civil Aviation Authority and Chairman of Dubai Duty Free, for his ongoing support. My thanks also to all of our employees who deserve this recognition.”

The Business Traveller Middle East award is the second major award to be won by Dubai Duty Free this year. In January, the operation received the award for ‘Best Duty Free Shops’ from the US-based magazine Global Traveller.