RIYADH, 14 December 2005 — Palestinians having valid travel documents but without passports will be granted special visas to enable them to visit Dubai Shopping Festival, (DSF) starting from Jan. 4 to Feb. 4 next year. The announcement was made during a press conference organized by the DSF team at the Four Seasons Hotel here yesterday.
The other members of the entourage led by DSF chief executive officer, Saeed Mohammed Al-Nabouda, included Major Omar Al-Shamsi, chief of the public relations and protocol department of the Dubai Naturalization and Residency Department (DNRD), Khalid Al-Hadad, Emirates’ district manager and Salah Mohammed Naqi, head of the media section at the Dubai Port, Customs and Free Zone.
“This is the first time we are opening the gates for Palestinian non-passport holders. The primary criteria is that they should have a sponsor who has to pay a refundable deposit of 2,000 dirhams till they leave Dubai Airport after visiting the show,” Al-Shamsi said, adding that such visas will be only issued at the Dubai and not at any entry point via land. Besides Saudis, he said the other expatriates holding responsible jobs will be given on arrival visas at all entry points to Dubai.
“In addition to its 15 regular flights, Emirates will operate 21 extra flights per week to the Kingdom during this season,” Al-Hadad said, adding that the extra flights will include daily flights from Riyadh, Dammam and Jeddah. “Our holiday packages during the festival season will offer a wide range of prices, properties and benefits to satisfy the needs of our Saudi customers especially those coming with their families.”
Speaking about the DSF, Al-Nabouda said last year it attracted 3.3 million visitors which was an increase of six percent over the previous year. “This was a major step in achieving the target of attracting 15 million visitors annually by the year 2010.” He added that these visitors spent 6.5 billion dirhams during the last event. “This year we are expecting an enhanced number due to the increasing popularity of the show.”
Pointing to the Kingdom’s age-old relationship with the seven emirates, Al-Nabouda said this 11th edition of the popular family extravaganza will further strengthen the strong bilateral ties between two countries.