Tourexpi
Qatar Duty Free (QDF) has opened the Middle East’s
first POP MART store at Hamad International Airport (HIA), marking a new
milestone in the region’s travel retail landscape. The launch featured a
dynamic travel-themed fashion show, blending art, fashion, and pop culture, and
was attended by international influencers and friends of the brand.
A playful world of collectibles
Located in HIA’s North Node near Gate C18, the
100-square-metre boutique brings POP MART’s vibrant universe of designer
collectibles to travellers across the Middle East. The store offers a curated
selection of travel exclusives, headlined by the “Twinkle Twinkle Wonderful
Journey Series”, a new collection designed especially for global travellers.
Items include card holders, travel pillows, storage bags, and crossbody bags,
celebrating the theme of “pop culture companionship on the go.”
Travellers can also enjoy a Qatar-exclusive gift — a limited-edition
blanket featuring traditional Qatari motifs and POP MART characters, available
with qualifying purchases.
Redefining airport retail
“This first-in-the-region concept reflects our drive
to redefine airport and regional retail,” said Thabet Musleh, Qatar Airways
Group Chief Retail & Hospitality Officer. “POP MART brings creativity and
joy to our retail mix and perfectly aligns with our vision to surprise
travellers with exclusive, experience-centric concepts.”
Justin Moon, Senior Vice President and Chief Operating
Officer of POP MART International Group, added: “By blending Qatar’s rich
culture with our playful characters, we’re creating more than a store — we’re
building a new global benchmark for how pop culture connects with local
communities.”
A new standard for travel retail
Open 24/7, the store fuses modern architecture with
Middle Eastern design influences, reflecting both POP MART’s artistic flair and
Qatar Duty Free’s commitment to innovation. The partnership marks POP MART’s debut
in the Middle East and reinforces QDF’s role in shaping next-generation travel
experiences, turning every journey through Hamad International Airport into a
moment of discovery and delight.
Image
Credit: © Qatar Airways
The most interesting news
Read the News

Gobeklitepe Welcomes More Than 4.4 Million Visitors Since UNESCO Recognition
World's oldest known temple continues to strengthen southeastern Türkiye's appeal as a cultural tourism destination
Read the News

WTTC and UNEP Launch Strategic Partnership to Accelerate Sustainable Tourism
New alliance will promote circular economy, biodiversity protection and measurable environmental action across the global Travel & Tourism sector
Read the News

British Airways Celebrates 80 Years of US Service with Major Lounge Investment
Airline marks transatlantic milestone while unveiling plans to enhance premium customer experience across the United States
Read the News

Deutsche Bank Expands SAF Partnership with Lufthansa Group
Investment in Sustainable Aviation Fuel is expected to reduce CO₂ emissions by around 5,500 tonnes
Read the News

Ryanair Urges Delay of EU Entry-Exit System Until September
Airline warns of longer border control queues during the summer holiday peak and calls for governments to postpone the EES rollout
Read the News

Marriott International Selects The Coca-Cola Company as Global Beverage Partner
Strategic agreement expands beverage choices across Marriott's worldwide hotel portfolio
Read the News

Vietnam Airlines Launches Direct Ho Chi Minh City–Phuket Service
New route marks the first milestone of TAT's partnership with Vietnam Airlines and strengthens regional tourism links
Read the News

Traveloka and Marriott International Expand Partnership Across Southeast Asia
Multi-year agreement gives Traveloka users direct access to Marriott's global hotel portfolio
Read the News

Taiwan Tourism Showcases Year-Round Experiences in Australia and New Zealand
Three-city roadshow strengthens trade partnerships and highlights Taiwan's growing appeal to regional travellers
Read the News

IHG Expands Greater China Portfolio with New Hotel Openings in Second Half of 2026
New properties across major cities, transport hubs and leisure destinations strengthen the group's multi-brand presence
Read the News

Marella Cruises launches new brand campaign celebrating authentic travel memories
Integrated campaign targets travellers over 40 with a fresh perspective on cruising
Read the News

Ko Samui Named Asia Pacific's Best Island at Travel + Leisure Luxury Awards 2026
Thailand secures five top destination rankings, with Bangkok, Phuket, Ko Chang and Chiang Mai also recognised
Read the News

Temple of Apollo Opens for Evening Visits Under Türkiye's Night Museum Programme
Ancient sanctuary in Didim offers visitors a new way to experience one of the world's most important oracle sites during the summer season
Read the News

Wego and Tourism Malaysia launch partnership to boost travel from the Middle East
Joint campaign will promote Malaysia's diverse experiences ahead of Visit Malaysia 2026
Read the News

Hapag-Lloyd Cruises Unveils Extraordinary Christmas and New Year Voyages for 2026/2027
Luxury and expedition ships will celebrate the festive season from the Caribbean to Antarctica
Read the News

TAT’s CF-Hotels Platform Wins Green Leadership Award at AREA 2026
Recognition highlights Thailand’s efforts to transform low-carbon tourism policy into measurable action across the hotel sector
Read the News

Agoda Highlights Cool-Climate Destinations Across Asia Pacific for Summer Travelers
From New Zealand's winter landscapes to Malaysia's highlands, the travel platform recommends refreshing escapes from the summer heat
Read the News

Eurowings Celebrates GNTM Winner Aurélie with WINGS Magazine Cover
Flight attendant and Germany's Next Top Model winner becomes the face of the airline's summer in-flight magazine
Read the News

International Visitors Expected to Spend Nearly €64 Billion in Spain This Summer
Tourism spending is forecast to outpace visitor growth again as Spain prepares for another record summer season
Read the News

IHG Surpasses 200 Hotels in Canada as Expansion Continues
New openings and upcoming brand launches strengthen the company's long-term growth strategy
Read the News

Harbour City Celebrates Toy Story 5 with Large-Scale Hong Kong Carnival
Immersive attractions, interactive experiences and exclusive exhibitions transform the waterfront destination into a Toy Story universe