This inclusive community service is available daily on Al Hamriya Beach from 6.00am to sunset
uae5 hours ago
I arrived in Dubai on the evening of July 15, 1983. It was the eve of my 40th birthday and I recalled the wave of intense heat that hit me as I was walking down the steps of the aircraft. I had never experienced anything like it in my life.
I was part of a team from Aer Rianta [the Irish Airport Authority] who had been contracted to set up Dubai Duty Free. I remember being met by Norman Turnbull from Dubai Airport and we went to the International Hotel near the airport, now Le Meridien. The airline had lost my luggage so I went the next lunchtime to Al Ghurair Centre to buy a new shirt and so on, but did not realise that they closed between 1pm and 4pm in those days, so was standing outside waiting for the shops to re-open and I remember thinking, what sort of place is this!
From my personal life > Social media: I am not active on Social media, but I do know how to take a Selfie! > Best advice: To stay normal, keep your feet on the ground and to look after people and they will reward you tenfold - given by my father. > Golden rule: Keep it simple, work hard and be honest. > Advice for newcomers in UAE: The UAE has plenty of opportunities for people but it does not happen overnight. So you have to work hard and work honestly and you will gain the rewards > Favourite leader: Nelson Mandela > Preferred book: The Great Hunger (about the Irish famine) > Best movie: Random Harvest > Favourite place: Ireland |
Starting Dubai Duty Free
We had a very short lead time before the opening of Dubai Duty Free and had to learn a good deal in that time. I remember recruiting our first batch of staff from the Philippines and conducting a training programme the day before we opened. I was standing on a plank which was balanced on two oil barrels and I was showing the staff a photocopy of a US dollar note as most of them had never seen a dollar at that time! There was a great sense of camaraderie as we all were in this together and had to work long hours in order to be ready for the big day on December 20.
Our first day of sales was $44,000 and the first year we took $20 million, which was good.
Of the 100 original staff employed in 1983, I am happy to say that we still have 32 of the team, which is something I am very proud of.
After the opening of Dubai Duty Free on December 20, 1983, I was asked to stay on as general manager, which I did and later became managing director before becoming executive vice-chairman. My deputy George Horan also stayed on, along with another colleague John Sutcliffe and we were known as the Irish Trinity. George is still here and is president of the operation, John, who was the youngest retired a couple of years ago.
First batch of Dubai Duty Free staff with Colm McLoughlin in 1983. Of the 100 original staff joined the organisation in 1983, 32 are still with the Dubai Duty Free, says the executive vice-chairman. |
This inclusive community service is available daily on Al Hamriya Beach from 6.00am to sunset
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