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I’ve reached my last Moodie Davitt Interim Bureau of the Year and what a spectacular one it is.
I’m at the Mission Hills Resort in Haikou on Hainan Island, a place where I’d love to put my feet up (or my feet into the pool or onto one of the many golf courses) but alas it is a fleeting 36-hour visit.
I’m here as the sole international media representative at the 5th Anniversary celebrations of HNDF Haikou Meilan Airport Duty Free Shop, the extraordinarily successful offshore duty free retailer.
I’ve tracked this success story from day one and I’m very honoured to not only be asked to attend tonight but to deliver a short speech giving an international perspective on the company’s achievement. That will be a pleasure and a privilege.
Sales here this year will hit in excess of CNY1.6 billion (US$230 million), a remarkable figure when one considers the relative infancy of the business. Qualitatively its very impressive too. I only got a glimpse of the stores as I arrived in late last night via Guangzhou but it’s clear this is a very smart retail offer indeed (helped by technical partner DFS Group’s expertise). I’ll bring you a Picture Gallery in my next Blog somewhere along the long journey home to London for Christmas.
HNDF Haikou Meilan Airport Duty Free Shop has come a long way in a short time, but in many ways its journey has just begun. Exciting days lie ahead with the imminent opening of the Haikou Aviation Tourism Duty Free Plaza in front of the Haikou Meilan Airport Terminal building (featuring an 18,000sq m duty free zone) and Haikou Mova Plaza in the heart of the central business district (a project I will visit tomorrow).
When you come to Hainan you cannot help but feel energised. The magnificent scenery and balmy weather help of course but it’s also the whole sense of pace. As I gaze out from my 15th floor room over the vast Mission Hills Resort development, I can’t help but think there is simply unstoppable momentum here. High times in Hainan indeed, and an exceptional interim Bureau in which to (nearly) close out the year.
