The Dubai Events and Promotions Establishment (DEPE), an agency under the Department of Economic Development (DED) and organizers of the Dubai Shopping Festival (DSF), held a press conference at the Sofitel Hotel in the Bahraini capital Manama to announce the unique offers that Dubai will present visitors during the 18th edition of the Dubai Shopping Festival, which will take place over 32 days from January 3 to February 3, 2013, under the slogan “Dubai at its best”.
A large number of representatives from the Bahraini media and members of Bahrain’s travel and tourism industry attended the press conference. The Dubai delegation comprised members of the city’s travel sector such as Emirates Airline, as well as official bodies such as the Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM) and the General Directorate of Residency and Foreign Affairs (DNRD).
There has been a noticeable increase in the number of tourists arriving from Bahrain to Dubai. Records show 76,032 Bahraini’s visitors came to Dubai in the first 9 months of 2012, which represents a large increase of 17% compared to the corresponding period in 2011. Meanwhile, figures released for DSF 2011 show 3.98 million people visited Dubai during the month-long event, spending a total of Dh15.1 billion in 32 days.
“The GCC has been and remains a core market for DSF not only due to geographical proximity but also for the fact that we share the same values and cultural backgrounds. The festival’s marketing slogan ‘Dubai at its Best’ signifies the best of everything that the vibrant emirate stands for, especially during DSF, when it offers unparalleled and unforgettable experiences to visitors and residents alike,” Ibrahim Saleh, Festivals Coordinator General, DEPE, said.
He said after Dubai was crowned for the second consecutive year the “World Festival and Event City” by The International Festivals and Events Association (IFEA), DEPE is keener to provide the best services to tourists and visitors. The UAE has witnessed great development in the past few years, he added, which Dubai and the DEPE are keen to keep up with by offering the highest international standards at events hosted by Dubai.
Saleh added that Dubai is happy to extend a warm welcome to visitors of all age groups and nationalities for DSF 2013, which has lots of surprises and promotions to offer. Addressing the Bahraini media, he said: “During DSF, Dubai is truly at its best (– all family members and visitors will have numerous opportunities to win prizes, enjoy the shopping promotions and celebrate this huge and unique festival. This joy is truly encapsulated in the slogan ‘Dubai at its best’.”
He also said that DSF 2013 will have a new and gala opening, which will offer a preview about how big and unique the festival is and what it will offer its visitors – from events, activities and promotions to carnivals, fireworks and much more. The festival will also hold raffle draws for gold as well as luxury cars (Nissan, Infiniti and Ferrari), and will feature unique plays and concerts by top international and Arab artists.
“What is also unique about DSF 2013 is that we will be concentrating on celebrations in the main streets of Dubai such as Al Riqqa, Al Seef, The Walk (JBR), Downtown Dubai, Promenade Festival City and the Heritage and Diving Village among others,” Saleh said. “There will be something special about all these celebrations to reflect the UAE’s heritage, culture, fashion, music and other aspects of its day-to-day life.”