Possibilities For An African Winner As Qatar Duty Free Draws Its Sixth Millionaire
By Novell Zwange – Doha, QATAR – A subsidiary of Qatar Airways, the national carrier of the State of Qatar, Qatar Duty Free has given away US$1 million for the sixth time following its latest Millionaire Draw held at Doha International Airport.
Raneeba Kayanayil Collects Her Million Dollar Cheque Becoming Qatar Duty Free's Sixth Millionaire
The winner, Ms Raneeba Pudiyaveettil Kayanayil, an Indian national from Kerala, purchased the lucky ticket while en route to Kochi. Raneeba made a spur-of-the-moment decision while walking past the Qatar Duty Free ticket counter at Doha International Airport during her transit.
It was the first time she had participated in the draw, raising possibilities that one lucky African passenger could win the unbelievable prize money soon.
“I was just passing through and I decided to buy a ticket – just like that,” said Raneeba. She went on to say that she and her husband will use part of the massive winnings to expand their business in Malaysia. They also plan to donate some of the money to charity.
Raneeba’s win makes her Qatar Duty Free’s sixth US Dollar Millionaire in the popular draw. Launched in May 2006, each draw is restricted to 5,000 tickets. Every ticket bought stands a one in 5,000 chance of winning the million dollars. Departing and transiting passengers at Doha International Airport are able to purchase raffle tickets for USD 263 or QAR 950 each.
Qatar Duty Free's Jaguar Car Winner Drawn With The Help Of A Customer Inside The Duty Free Store At Doha International Airport
Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive Officer Akbar Al Baker said that the popularity of the millionaire dollar draw was increasing with the latest winner becoming the second millionaire of 2010.
“The Qatar Duty Free Company Million Dollar Draw is an exciting attraction for duty free shoppers at Doha International Airport. I offer my personal congratulations to Ms Kayanayil on being the lucky winner of the latest draw,” said Al Baker.
Raneeba collected her cheque in person at Doha International Airport prior to Qatar Duty Free conducting another draw – this time a raffle to give away a Jaguar XJ luxury car. Mr. Aref Khashabi was the lucky winner in this latest draw, which has seen over 80 luxury cars given away in the past few years.
Earlier this year, Qatar Duty Free was awarded the top prize at the 2010 Duty Free News International (DFNI) Awards for Travel Retail Excellence, winning the title Travel Retailer of the Year 2010. Celebrating 10 years of operations, Qatar Duty Free Company continues its impressive growth, having recently expanded its operations at Doha International Airport and more than doubling the shopping space at Qatar Airways’ exclusive Premium Terminal.
Qatar Duty Free operates within the departures, arrivals, VIP lounge and the Premium Terminal of Doha International Airport. Qatar Duty Free is one of the Middle East’s most outstanding success stories in recent years. It has invested more than US$1 million in refurbishing the existing retail facilities within the departures and arrivals area.
Qatar Duty Free has been experiencing continued and significant growth in recent years, currently operating over 2000 sqm of retail space. Qatar Duty Free has a bright future and will establish a new home at New Doha International Airport when it is scheduled to open in 2012.
