Cyprus Duty Free Business Development and Innovation Manager Sergios Sergiou told TRBusiness that demand for ‘quality destination products’ has prompted the retailer to collaborate with local Cypriot producers to launch a new fragrance.

 

In an exclusive interview which first appeared in the TRBusiness August/September e-zine, Sergiou said the launch aligns with the company’s mission to fulfil a growing consumer demand for authentic local products at Larnaca and Paphos International Airports, which enables him to be creative in curating the company’s product assortment.

 

“Our aim is to truly encapsulate the traditions, tastes and aromas of the island, so that our visitors can actually take home a small piece of Cyprus,” Sergiou told TRBusiness.

 

“We have been forming exclusive partnerships with local producers to bring innovation and character to our product range.”

 

The new fragrance, Chypre Parfum Du Temps further reinforces the retailer’s strategy to support the local community, as well as to promote the history and culture of Cyprus.

 

“It is the only perfume from our offering that is uniquely created in Cyprus, composed of herbs from our island’s rich flora and which follows a combination of traditional and modern techniques,” added Sergiou.

 

According to Cyprus Duty free, since antiquity, Cyprus has played a major role in traditional perfumery. Based on recent archaeological findings, the oldest perfumery in the world was actually excavated in Cyprus with roots reportedly to 2,000 BC.

 

“We wanted to raise awareness of this exceptional discovery, as well as celebrate our island’s important role in perfumery history,” says Sergiou. “This is how the concept of Chypre Parfum Du Temps was born.”

 

The product brings together ingredients which symbolise the four natural elements: earth, fire, water and air.

 

After a lengthy experimentation process, Cyprus Duty Free decided to create a fragrance that blends essences extracted using both ancient and modern techniques.

 

“We brought together three special artistries, namely, Cyprus Perfumery Park and Open Air Museum, Giannoula Lazarou’s Botanical Workshop and Efthymios Symeou Ceramics,” according to Sergiou.

 

“We are thrilled to have developed a high-quality fragrance that is 100% natural and alcohol-free. We have invested in sustainable packaging and managed to deliver the perfume in a beautiful handmade clay pot, reminiscent of ancient urns discovered on our island.”

 

The product is animated at the point of sale through eye-catching audio-visuals, highlighting the product’s provenance, the inspiration behind its creation, as well as the production process behind it.

 

A proud tradition: The Chypre customised gondola takes pride of place in a high profile store location, highlighting the product’s uniqueness, as well as the rich Cypriot heritage.

 

To access the full interview with Sergios Sergiou, read the August/September e-zine here.