DSF promotional road show reaches Kingdom

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 Jeddah Hilton on Wednesday to announce the offers that Dubai will present to visitors during the 18th edition of the DSF, which will take place over 32 days from Jan. 3 to Feb. 3, under the slogan "Dubai at its Best."
The DEPE-led delegation comprised Emirates Airline, a major player in the city's travel sector, 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).
Visitor numbers from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to Dubai registered unabated growth this year. Records show that 843,568 Saudi visitors came to Dubai in the first 9 months of 2012, a substantial increase of 28 percent 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 Dh 15.1 billion in 32 days.
Ibrahim Saleh, festivals coordinator general, DEPE, said: "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."
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 even more keen 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.