QATAR. Qatar Duty Free is enrolling 50 team members in the Duty Free World Council Academy course to earn a Certificate in Duty Free and Travel Retail.

The move means Qatar Duty Free becomes the largest participant in the programme and reinforces the travel retailer’s commitment to investing in its people.

The Academy – whose Advisory Group is chaired by respected industry consultant Sue Gosling – was created in 2016 as an arm of the Duty Free World Council with a mission to raise industry standards through the provision of responsible retailing online training courses.

These are designed to equip participants with core selling skills and information. Courses range from a comprehensive certificate programme to open-to-all training courses in key categories. Delivery is through a partnership with ACI World Training’s Online Learning Centre.

Since its creation, the Academy has welcomed over 7,000 students. These also include senior industry figures on the Advisory Board who provide feedback to course content by completing the courses themselves.

Other leading retailers sending team members on the courses include Avolta, 3Sixty Duty Free and Dubai Duty Free, along with Harding+ from the cruise retail sector.

DFWC President Sarah Branquinho said: “I am delighted to welcome Thabet Musleh’s team to the Certificate Course programme and know that they will also be providing us with the valuable and ongoing feedback that allows us to constantly improve content and delivery.

“The Academy has made great progress in the last year with fantastic course registration numbers in 2024. It is encouraging to see that retailers like QDF, brands and agencies alike are putting some traction behind training their teams in an industry-leading way.”

Qatar Airways Chief Retail and Hospitality Officer Thabet Musleh said: “Our staff are the heart and soul of our business’s success, and investing in them is one of our greatest priorities. At Qatar Duty Free, focusing on people and responsible retailing is crucial to our retail strategy. We are proud to select 50 of our top team members for certified courses offered by the Duty Free World Council Academy. Together, we will continue to develop our teams and elevate the industry even further.”

About the Duty Free World Council Academy

The Duty Free World Council Academy was created in 2019. The Academy is a not for profit organisation dedicated to raising standards throughout the duty free and travel retail industry through the provision of industry-bespoke training programmes.

The DFWC Academy courses are relevant to everyone involved in the duty free and travel retail industry, and also to those in other commercially related industries. The courses are not designed to replace in house training provided by employers but to complement such training by providing a holistic view of the global industry for those wishing to develop their careers, to raise standards and increase retention.

The DFWC Academy flagship course – the certificate in Duty Free & Travel Retail – has just been updated with the latest industry data and insights and is available in English and Mandarin.

A series of free courses promoting responsible retailing practices for the alcohol and confectionery sectors are also offered and a course on the responsible retailing of tobacco and tobacco-related products will be launched in Q1 this year.

More on the Academy can be found at this link. ✈