Website highlights duty-free bargains

TRAVELLERS could get a helping hand in finding bargains at the airport with a new online guide to what shopping is available on your planned route.

Called Duty Free Hunter, it works with major airports, duty free retailers, airlines and travel organisations to give advance information on what bargains you could find.

Its blog also has news of exclusive product launches, events and competitions, promotions and special offers running in duty free shops around the world.

Just type in your departure airport – wait a second for the drop-down menu to become available and confirm the name – and then the arrival airport and the site takes you to a list of what shops are available, with links to their websites.

Alma Media, owner of Duty Free Hunter, has been in the duty free business for over 25 years and has a global registry of travel shops and retailers.

Since the first duty-free shop opened at Ireland's Shannon Airport about 60 years ago it has become a global industry with total sales just short of €60billion.

Although aimed mainly at international passengers – who take about half of the 5bn flights this year – it is also a help for EU passengers to know what bargains are available, especially as terminals have expanded to include boutiques for luxury brands such as Chanel, Burberry, Louis Vuitton, Dior, Estee Lauder, MAC cosmetics, Victoria's Secret and Lancôme.

All major airports and route are covered, but some summer-only routes may not be found on the www.dutyfreehunter.com site.