DOHA, Qatar – The official opening of Qatar Duty Free’s Chinese Pavilion at Hamad International Airport (HIA) took place today in the presence of His Excellency Mr. Gao Youzhen, Chinese Ambassador to Qatar. Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive, His Excellency Mr. Akbar Al Baker and Keith Hunter, Senior Vice President Qatar Duty Free, welcomed the ambassador to the bespoke built pavilion, which was created in honour of Chinese New Year.

Mr. Han Wang, General Manager UnionPay International Middle East, also attended the opening ceremony, offering his support to this innovative promotion by Qatar Duty Free, which includes a QDF QR100 gift voucher for clients who make a purchase of QR1,000 or US$274 and above, using a UnionPay payment card.

“We are delighted to officially open Qatar Duty Free’s Chinese Pavilion at Hamad International Airport today,” said Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive, His Excellency Mr. Akbar Al Baker. “This is the first year we have celebrated Chinese New Year at our new state-of-the-art airport, and I am proud of what we have achieved with this luxurious area, promoted to create a wide range of gifts for the holidays in China.”

Keith Hunter, Senior Vice President Qatar Duty Free, added: “We are honoured to see His Excellency Mr. Gao Youzhen here today for the opening of our Chinese Pavilion. China is an extremely important market for Qatar Duty Free and every year we try to go the extra mile by providing ever more exciting promotions and activities for our Chinese customers.”

Special promotions and activities at the Chinese-themed pavilion inside HIA will continue until February 28, 2015. Strategically located behind the iconic teddy bear in the departures hall of HIA, the 180m²-pavilion has been built especially for this occasion and offers a variety of activities and staff dressed in traditional costume for the duration of the festival.

At Hamad International Airport (HIA), Qatar Duty Free offers 40,000 square metres of combined retail, food and beverage facilities, which have established the retailer as a premier shopping and dining destination. With more than 70 retail outlets offering an unprecedented selection of designer labels, fashion, electronics, gourmet foods and much more, Qatar Duty Free at HIA caters to all passengers’ tastes. In addition, more than 30 cafés and restaurants offer a sumptuous selection of global and local cuisine. The most recently opened boutiques are: Chopard, Giorgio Armani, Armani Junior, Coach, Hugo Boss, Mont Blanc and Al Motahajiba.