DOHA: Qatar Airways has presented the winner of its latest in-flight duty free raffle draw with a check for $30,000 at a function in London. Filipino national Mely Caunca, who lives in Fulham, southwest London, was the winner of the mega prize after entering a raffle onboard a Qatar Airways flight to Manila. Upon collecting her prize at the Business Travel & Meetings Show in London, at which Qatar Airways was a key exhibitor, Caunca said she would put the money to a good cause.
“I am so delighted to have won this prize and would like to use the money to help families who suffered when the typhoon hit my home country of the Philippines last year,” said Caunca, who runs a cleaning and maintenance company in London. “Many of my own relatives and friends were killed by this tragedy, so I would like to help my local community back home.” Qatar Airways’ Vice President Commercial Europe Paul Johannes, said: “It is great news that she will be able to use the money toward such a good cause and will be able to finish a project that will help an entire community.”
Passengers were given the chance to enter the Qatar Airways’ in-flight duty free raffle upon purchase of two or more perfumes. The winner was randomly chosen at a celebration draw at Doha International Airport last month. In the current issue of Qatar Airways’ In-flight Duty Free magazine, passengers will receive a $40 shopping voucher if they spend more than $200 in a single transaction onboard.
In addition, members of Qatar Airways’ Privilege Club loyalty program can earn two Qmiles for every $1 spent onboard. Qatar Airways now offers passengers the chance to reserve their choice of Duty Free by pre-ordering at least 72 hours prior to their flight. Qatar Airways was exhibiting at the two-day Business Travel & Meetings Show in London for the second year running. BTMS 2010 is the leading trade event in Europe for the corporate travel and meetings market.
JEDDAH: Travelers from Saudi Arabia and the UAE mainly select Sri Lanka as a major destination, says a report released by the Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Board (SLTPB) on Saturday. The Indian Ocean island state reported a major influx of Arab travelers as Middle East Tourist arrivals to Sri Lanka surged 50 percent in January compared to the same period last year, according to statistics compiled by SLTPB Middle East office in Dubai.
“Judging by these early results, destination Sri Lanka is on track to surpass figures attained last year where tourist arrivals saw a double-digit growth,” said Heba Al-Ghais Al-Mansoori, Middle East director of SLTPB based in Dubai. HEBA said the strongest growth was registered from the UAE (up by 164%), Saudi Arabia (up by 127%), Qatar (171%), Kuwait (up by 135%) and Jordan among others. Apart from the Middle East, regions that saw a marked increase in visitors are Western and Eastern Europe, and South Asia.
“With the widespread effects of the credit crunch and the stability that finally dawned on Sri Lanka as the war came to a halt and decades of strife ended, Sri Lanka is a destination with good value for money and one with an exotic locale that tantalizes tourists,” said Al Mansoori. “Peace will finally bring prosperity and development into the country and open up more areas for tourism development which otherwise was not accessible during the war,” she said, adding that cultural attractions, entertainment, shopping, and dining are some of the factors that draw modern day Arab travelers to their preferred destinations and Sri Lanka offers a good product that scores on all counts and is less than four hours flying time away from the Gulf.
RIYADH: Air Arabia, described as the first and largest low-cost carrier (LCC) in the Middle East and North Africa, in association with BMI Bank, the Bahrain based associate of Bank Muscat, and Audi Bahrain, announced the recent launch of the “2010 Air Arabia Sailing Adventure.” The adventure includes sponsorship of Air Arabia pilot and Olympic sailor Sami Al Kooheji in his bid to compete in the 2010 Asian Games to be held in the city of Guangzhou in China next November.
As part of the “2010 Air Arabia Sailing Adventure” and in order to qualify for the 2010 Asian Games, 25-year-old Al Kooheji has launched his campaign. He will compete in 12 international regattas and training camps in the GCC, Europe and Asia, which will also include the 2010 World Championships to be held in the UK at Haling Island in August. These thrilling challenges will test Al Kooheji’s strategy, strength and skill to be fully prepared for the 2010 Asian Games to be held in China.
Air Arabia’s initial involvement in the sport of sailing began in 2007, when it sponsored Al Kooheji, who competed in the 2004 Olympic Games to take part in the “2007 Air Arabia World Endurance Challenge,” an unprecedented 550-kilometre non-stop solo voyage in a small laser sail boat from Bahrain to Dubai, where he achieved a new world record. In 2009, the airline then went on to sponsor Bahrain’s National Sailing team for two international regattas in Mumbai. The team named “Bahrain Team Air Arabia” was ranked fifth overall in the championships. “We are extremely pleased to announce the launch of the 2010 Air Arabia Sailing Adventure along side BMI Bank and Audi Bahrain,” said AK Nizar, head of commercial, Air Arabia.
“At Air Arabia, we believe that sports play an integral role in today’s society, promoting values such as dedication, determination, competition and good sportsmanship. Air Arabia’s commitment to the sport of sailing has been growing year after the other and we are proud to once again support Sami in his run to the Asian Olympic Games.”
