Hamad International Airport (HIA) was voted as the ‘Best Airport in the Middle East’ in the 15th Annual Global Traveler’s GT Tested Reader Survey Awards in Los Angeles. The award recognises outstanding performance and customer service displayed by airports across the world.
HIA VP of Commercial and Marketing, Abdulaziz Al Mass, accepted the award during the gala reception in Beverly Hills last week. Recognising HIA’s success in delivering the highest standard of service to travellers, the Global Traveler’s awards are highly sought after and respected as an unbiased reflection of the best in travel through an open-ended reader survey.
Engineer Badr Mohammed Al Meer, Chief Operating Officer at HIA, said they were truly honoured to be awarded the Best Airport in the Middle East by Global Traveler for the second consecutive year.
Since our opening, we have displayed an unwavering commitment to providing the best passenger experience and customer service excellence, which is increasingly being recognised by the international community. We thank Global Traveler for this outstanding recognition, and our passengers for their continued support and confidence in HIA.’
Francis X Gallagher, publisher and CEO of FXExpress Publications, Inc said the award is ‘no wonder as the airport is truly a gateway to the rest of the world, and a wonderful place to transit, offering loads of amenities, shopping and quality dining’.
Congratulations to HIA on its second win in our GT Tested Reader Survey awards! As we celebrate our 15th year of this survey, we acknowledge many repeat winners and it’s important to note (that) Hamad has swept its category in the two years it has appeared on our survey, a true testament that it is a stand-out and a favourite in the region.’
Luxury Amenities for Travellers at HIA
HIA continues to redefine the passenger experience through comfort, convenience and leisure, with state-of-the-art infrastructure and facilities all housed within its expansive terminal. HIA recently started offering on-the-go spa services for departing or transferring passengers at the airport with ‘Be Relax’, an international well-being and beauty service provider specialised in airports. Located in the North Node of the airport terminal, near concourses D and E, ‘Be Relax’ provides passengers with massage services, manicures, pedicures, and shower facilities in a calm and serene environment away from the airport hustle. The airport also has the Vitality Wellness Spa with a range of spa treatments and facilities, a swimming pool, for travellers who want to stay active even during journey.
The airport will also be launching an upgraded version of the HIA Qatar mobile app soon, a state-of-the-art iBeacon enabled app that enables HIA customers to access everything airport-related at the tip of their fingers. The app, already featuring an interactive map, navigation, real-time flight information, airport services and facilities information, and retail outlet information and promotions, transforms the way travellers engage with airport services. By simply searching ‘coffee’ or ‘handbag’, the app offers a list of all outlets offering products of interest along with a turn-by-turn navigation to reach the destination. The app also alerts travellers of ongoing sales and promotions with wayfinding, ensuring the traveller makes the best of their shopping experience at HIA.
The airport also continues to curate memorable luxury and retail experiences. Last month, HIA, Qatar Duty Free, the airport’s retail partner and Parfums Christian Dior launched a Dior Maison de Parfums Podium at the airport. The podium offers HIA customers an immersive and multisensorial experience with a 360° screen, with aromas that transport travellers to the south of France, to Dior places of inspiration, creation and expertise.
Since 2004, Global Traveler is a well-known luxury publication in the United States, recognised globally with high readership, informing passengers of five-star airports, airlines and hotels. Global Traveler’s yearly surveys are well acknowledged in the industry and include First- and Business-Class Survey and Leisure Lifestyle Awards.
For more information about HIA, visit their website at dohahamadairport.com.