Shopping - Duty-Free Malls

Wondering if that fifth of Bacardi 151 (or bottle of cologne. or carton of smokes) is worth it? Here's the best way to blow your extra euros, yen, and dollars at the airport

In 1947, at a time when 80 percent of transatlantic aircraft stopped to refuel in Ireland, restaurant manager Brendan O'Regan opened a modest gift counter at Shannon, the new free-trade airport in depressed County Clare. His shrewd little move spawned a worldwide industry that today racks up $27 billion in annual revenue. The duty-free empire was built on tobacco and liquor consumption through the simple eliminatian of a variety of taxes (which can run anywhere from 8 percent to 30 percent) on items to be consumed outside the country of purchase. These days you encounter veritable duty-free malls in many of the world's larger airports.

The question is what should you buy where-and how much can you really save? Hands down, the greatest savings are on smokes; you'll find the cheapest cigs in Asia, at airports like Singapore's Changi or Hong Kong's Chek Lap Kok, where a carton of Marlboros runs at least $25 less than US retail. Booze flows freely and cheaply in Asia, too, as well as in the Middle East ($7 for a liter of Stoli? Possible). As for the rest of the duty-free staples-the Toblerone bars, the colognes, the Hermes ties-your savings are going to be minimal at best.

Often the real duty-free draw is in the unique packaging,styles, and quality not found at home. It's doubtful you'll score an eye-popping deal in the Paul Smith boutique at Heathrow, but you may snare that smart pair ofleather driving shoes not sold on Melrose. You can pick up highquality Irish wovens and impeeeable smoked salmon at Shannon. In Milan or Rome, look for Chiantis and olive oils in handblown bottles made for gifting. Charles de Gaulle airport, outside Paris, offers jars of high-grade Freneh sea salt and tins of pure foie gras. Fine port at Lisbon's Portela isn't cheaper than in downtown Lisbon, but you can avoid having to lug the botýles around if you shop at departure. Only an imbecil would fly out of Buenos Aires without some decent Argentine leatherware. And should you ever be in Dubai, consider that its duty-free airport malI routinely raffles off Porsches and Bentleys.

If you keep your ear to the ground, you may even find some prime airport experiences in surprising places. "With a lounge to light up in and a humidor signed by Fidel Castro, Beirut is fantastic for Americans who love cigars," says John Rimmer, editor of London-based Duty-Free News International. Here's something else to take home: Says Rimmer, "You'll find the most glamorous shop assistants anywhere in the world in Buenos Aires and Beirut, without a doubt." JOHN OSEID

Source: GQ Magazine