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 Saeed
Mohammed Al Nabouda, chief executive officer, Dubai Shopping
Festival in conversation with Raadia Mukadam provides a peek
preview of DSF 2003 and its over 300 individual events. Excerpts
How
did DSF 2002 fare in terms of tourist arrivals and revenue
generation?
Despite the much hyped global economic slump, Dubai Shopping
Festival 2002, registered a total growth of 5 per cent endorsing
that the festival continues to maintain its allure. While
total expenditure rose only marginally to Dhs. 4.6 billion,
a significant increase was seen in the ‘Shopping Only’
expenditure, which escalated by 8 per cent vis-a-vis last
year’s figures. Expenditure on local transportation increased
from Dhs 100 million to Dhs 150 million reflecting the tourist
movement to the DSF entertainment venues.
What would you attribute this success to?
To start with, the transition in its image from the erstwhile
stereotype of a mega retail event meant to augment trade in
Dubai to its current status of being a comprehensive tourism
product - a model global shopping festival. The DSF has now
after consistent laborious efforts metamorphosed into a major
retailing cum entertainment extravaganza. Among its constant
draw cards feature shopping and bargains amongst international
visitors. But a high intensity promotional bouquet is what
yields the desired results.
Why have you retained your theme of last year for DSF 2003?
Since the Dubai Shopping Festival provides exciting activities
and entertainment for the whole family, the theme ‘One
World, One Family, One Festival’ is only fitting. The
theme also goes with the ideology of the nation and the festival
to provide a ‘larger than life’ shopping and entertainment
extravaganza for the entire family, luring members of all
age groups from all walks of life and all schools of thought.
What is the highlight of DSF 2003?
DSF 2003 slated to be held between January 15 to February
15, will witness 32 days of festivities with days and nights
packed with fantastic shopping opportunities. Our latest introduction,
the night market will be the jewel in the crown this year
giving shopaholics a real life opportunity to ‘shop till
you drop’. Besides, tourists will now be able to manage
their time better between shopping, site seeing and more shopping,
getting maximum value out of their stay in Dubai. The compulsive
shopper will be perhaps the most rewarded visitor of DSF 2003.
Shopping will be a round the clock event at more than 3000
retail outlets in Dubai. The Night Bazaar, will offer bargains
every night on world-renowned brands of haute couture, fragrances,
electronics, cosmetics, textiles, home decor and traditional
handicrafts. Besides that, every day, DSF will offer raffles
for luxury cars, cash and other big prizes that are valued
at more than US $200,000 daily and a whopping $ 500,000 on
every weekend of the Festival. The City of Gold - Dubai will
also offer several gold-based raffles and promotions.
 What
can we expect on the entertainment front?
DSF 2003 entertainment attractions for children include mega
shows from a host of world’s most popular cartoon characters.
The venue also includes a giant fun fair that has games and
roller coasters for children. The entertainment calendar for
grown ups will include concert performances by famous Arab
singers like Hisham Abbas and Amr Diab. The Dubai International
Jazz Festival, a newly launched annual event will be the first
in the region gathering more than 80 renowned jazz artists
and musicians. On the cultural front, the Global Village,
featuring more than 50 participating pavilions will showcase
beautiful and distinct historical landmark, genuine handicrafts,
folk music, dances and authentic cuisine distinctive to each
country. Last year, the Indian pavilion won the Best Pavilion
Award during DSF 2002. Indigenously,the famous Arabian Bedouin’s
lifestyle will be depicted at the Heritage and Diving Village
through numerous heritage activities, folkloric performances,
exhibitions, shopping at traditional souqs, the famous Gold
Souq and traditional cuisine of the region. The carpet Oasis,
a regular feature of DSF will feature a rich collection of
carpets drawn from the most ancient and exquisite carpet producing
countries in the world. To entice those who appreciate art,
Dubai’s main streets will be converted into symposiums
for painters, craftsmen from different corners of the world,
sculptors, musicians and performing artists from other fields.
For sport enthusiasts, the endless miles of clean beaches
in Dubai are ideal for jet skiing, sailing, cruising, fishing,
diving and wind surfing. Keen golfers can tee off at two of
Dubai’s picturesque gold courses.
For the fashion conscious, there will be a host of haute couture
parades displaying latest international fashion trends from
Indian designers amongst other well known international divas
in the industry. Dune bashing, bowling, archery, desert camping,
sand skiing and the thrilling desert safaris are some of the
local adventure experiences that the DSF visitor can indulge
in. The world Records venture, an endeavour to enter the Guinness
Book of World Records with harrowing attempts to break existing
and new records is a renowned attraction.
Will there be special baggage allowances and visa facilities
initiated by you?
Emirates Airline, the official carrier and a key sponsor of
the Dubai Shopping Festival, will offer discounted fares and
extra baggage allowance during the festival, and so will the
travel agencies affiliated to Emirates airlines and Dubai’s
hotels. Ranging from the economy to the luxury segments, the
hospitality sector is gearing up to welcome a rush of visitors.
Immigration procedures to UAE are also eased specially for
this period.
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