El Presidente Posted December 3, 2018 Share Posted December 3, 2018 CIGAR BOOM IN BEIRUT Phoenicia – Aer Rianta Co. S.A.L (PAC) Trading Company Chairman Mohamed Zeidan was next to make an address, tackling the challenges facing duty free in Lebanon and how the country is facing these. “Lebanon, despite all the difficulties, remains on the world map and Phoenicia Trading Group is proud of that,” he said. He pondered on the feasibility of the partnership with ARI when the two parties originally began their joint venture contract to operate the duty free shops at Beirut Rafic Hariri International Airport, before stressing that the thirst for success and investment in the business remains strong today. “Many people ask me about the success at Beirut Hariri. My answer always is, undoubtedly all who contribute to duty free have played a role, but the driving force is the Lebanese traveller. They are known worldwide for their love of quality.” Hosting MEADFA in Beirut is a testament to the longevity and successful partnerships with its duty free suppliers and partners, he continued. Aside running the duty free shops at Beirut airport, Zeidan has established a sizeable reputation as an importer of Cuban cigars over many decades. In 2005, he signed an agreement with Habanos S.A. trading as Phoenicia T.A.A (Cyprus) Ltd., acting as the sole distributor of Cuban cigars in the Middle East, Africa and parts of Europe. In a Q&A session with Co-moderator Dermott Davitt, Zeidan was asked about the significance of the cigar retailing business and the key to its success. “It seems that Cuban cigars in Lebanon have attracted attention,” he replied. “Our Cuban partners are surprised at the activities and Beirut as one of the biggest locations for cigar sales.” Such attention means visitors from all over Europe come to Lebanon to see its ‘museum of cigars’, commented Zeidan. Due to cigar production limitations, he says he encourages suppliers to commit to at least two years of stock. After briefly addressing Phoenicia – Aer Rianta’s new contract win at Beirut Airport last year in a bid secured in the context of tough international competition, Zeidan discussed Phoenicia Trading Company’s strategy and approach to pricing. He says the firm remains competitive in Beirut by virtue of the contracts held by the Lebanese state; with VAT at a minimum of 11% in the local market, the company has the ability to adapt accordingly if prices change. “Any success in duty free requires collaboration between operators and suppliers,” commented Zeidan. “Everyone still sees Beirut as a window for new trademarks, brands and quality products.” Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MD Puffer Posted December 3, 2018 Share Posted December 3, 2018 Considering Beirut's history, I expected a completely different story given the title. ? 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BrightonCorgi Posted December 3, 2018 Share Posted December 3, 2018 Beirut has long been known as the city for Habanos in the Middle East. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PigFish Posted December 3, 2018 Share Posted December 3, 2018 Hmmm... The Nordstrom Rack of the cigar world! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blakeLA Posted December 3, 2018 Share Posted December 3, 2018 I met a very nice Saudi BOTL who claims the Beirut LCDH is among the best he's ever visited. Their aged stock is apparently remarkable and reasonable. I promised I'd check it out if I ever make it to Beirut (which will probably be never). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Derboesekoenig Posted December 3, 2018 Share Posted December 3, 2018 2 minutes ago, blakeLA said: I met a very nice Saudi BOTL who claims the Beirut LCDH is among the best he's ever visited. Their aged stock is apparently remarkable and reasonable. I promised I'd check it out if I ever make it to Beirut (which will probably be never). Duty free as well, or LCDH in Beirut? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blakeLA Posted December 3, 2018 Share Posted December 3, 2018 48 minutes ago, Derboesekoenig said: Duty free as well, or LCDH in Beirut? One and the same. The LCDH Beirut is a duty free shop in the airport, but apparently it's like 5000 sq. ft. and epic. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Derboesekoenig Posted December 4, 2018 Share Posted December 4, 2018 Just now, blakeLA said: One and the same. The LCDH Beirut is a duty free shop in the airport, but apparently it's like 5000 sq. ft. and epic. Oh hell yes, I will go out of my way to visit this. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Connoisseur Kim Posted December 4, 2018 Share Posted December 4, 2018 So sad that cigars still need more time to being popular in Korea unlike Lebanon and China... ?? Note. I myself did not expect that Lebanon is one of the cigar boom country in nowadays with China... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wilzc Posted December 4, 2018 Share Posted December 4, 2018 That Beirut LCDH at the airport is.... like.... a dream.... Pity they don’t do outbound shipments. For collections only haheheheSent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GavLew79 Posted December 4, 2018 Share Posted December 4, 2018 The Lebanese are very active on various Facebook cigar groups and have been for a good few years. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Derboesekoenig Posted December 4, 2018 Share Posted December 4, 2018 11 hours ago, LonesomeHabanoAficionado said: So sad that cigars still need more time to being popular in Korea unlike Lebanon and China... ?? Note. I myself did not expect that Lebanon is one of the cigar boom country in nowadays with China... Take a trip to China? How long are the flights from where you are? Or how does your country handle customs and cigars/taxes? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David88 Posted December 4, 2018 Share Posted December 4, 2018 Beirut is a great place for cigars and the casa at the airport certainly has some good stuff! Although most of the boxes on the shelves are fairly fresh. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Connoisseur Kim Posted December 4, 2018 Share Posted December 4, 2018 3 hours ago, Derboesekoenig said: Take a trip to China? How long are the flights from where you are? Or how does your country handle customs and cigars/taxes? The tax is not that insanely high as UK Canada and Australia yet but getting higher and higher. I think the Korean anti smoking regulation makes tougher to increase popularity of cigars (there are some youngsters get into cigars since 2010) IMHO. There are some examples of anti smoking regulations by Korean gov on my previous posts (more sensitive warning image would be applied from now on). In summary, it is heavily influenced by US anti smoking regulations which means strict (specific to strict states like California)... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BrightonCorgi Posted December 4, 2018 Share Posted December 4, 2018 16 hours ago, LonesomeHabanoAficionado said: Note. I myself did not expect that Lebanon is one of the cigar boom country in nowadays with China... Lebanon is not a cigar boom country. It has always been a hot spot for Habanos. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Connoisseur Kim Posted December 4, 2018 Share Posted December 4, 2018 3 minutes ago, BrightonCorgi said: Lebanon is not a cigar boom country. It has always been a hot spot for Habanos. The amount of authorised Habanos shops are mainly exist in capital city in Korea (not so much on other regions)... Thanks for correction. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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