Dubai Duty Free (DDF) celebrated its 26th anniversary yesterday with a 25% discount offer on a wide range of merchandise which began at midnight on the 19th and ended at midnight on the 20th. DDF

also found its 101st Millennium Millionaire with German national, Michael Barth.

Commenting on the anniversary discount offer, Colm McLoughlin, Managing Director of Dubai Duty Free said: ‘We began introducing a discount offer on our 20th Anniversary back in 2003 and it has since become an annual tradition. We hear of people choosing to fly on the 20th December and looking at how busy the shop floor is today, I can certainly believe that to be the case.’

DDF said that the celebratory atmosphere at Dubai International Airport was 'infectious' as the staff and management of Dubai Duty Free mingled with shoppers and conducted a series of draws, including the 101st Millennium Millionaire draw for one million dollars.

Christmas came early for German national, Michael Barth, the holder of Millennium Millionaire ticket number 2051 in Series 101, as his ticket was drawn by Colm McLoughlin, George Horan, Deputy Managing Director and Salah Tahlak, Director of Corporate Communications, Dubai Duty Free.

Barth, who is based in Retzstadt, purchased his ticket online and was understandably ecstatic when he received the telephone call advising him of his win.

‘I cannot believe that I've won a million dollars,’ he said. ‘This is a great surprise and an early Christmas present for me and my family.’

Following the draw, the winner of Millennium Millionaire Series 100, American national Brian Norris, was presented with his ceremonial cheque for $1m. A presentation was also made to an earlier Finest Surprise Luxury car winner and Moustafa Tawil travelled from Australia, courtesy of Dubai Duty Free, to collect the keys to his brand new Mercedes Benz S500.

Dubai Duty Free senior managers then proceeded to Terminal 3 where a Finest Surprise draw was held. The first winner was Ssebudwawo Johnmary, a Ugandan national, based in Hoima who won a Mercedes Benz S500 in Series 1414 with ticket No. 0895.

Meanwhile two Harley Davidson motorbikes were won by Thomas Dahlin, a Swedish national based in Dubai whose winning ticket No.0017 in Series 155 was drawn and by Sardar Hussain, an Indian national who won a Harley in Series 150 with ticket No. 0719.

Dubai Duty Free's employees also enjoyed the anniversary celebrations with a special Staff Finest Surprise draw which resulted in a total of Dhms.120,000 ($32,670) being won by employees.

Dubai Duty Free currently employs 3,500 staff and of the original 100 staff who joined in December 1983, 57 remain in active service.