JEDDAH, 21 December 2003 — The annual Dubai Shopping Festival will not be affected by regional troubles, a top executive of the DSF said yesterday.
“The Sept. 11 attack on the United States, the outbreak of SARS or the Iraq war had no negative impact on the number of visitors attending the festival,” DSF Chief Executive Officer Saeed M. Al-Nabouda told a press conference here yesterday.
“The DSF 2003 held earlier this year had 2.92 million visitors, 8.5 percent more than last year. Visitors spent over 5.12 billion dirham during the festival, which was 11 percent more than in 2002,” said Al-Nabouda, the leader of a 32-member DSF delegation during a roadshow for travel agents.
“Saudi and other Arab visitors constitute 60 percent of the festival’s visitors, 17 percent more in 2003 over the previous year. The rest came from the subcontinent, Europe and Russia,” he said.
Some 2,500 outlets are taking part in the DSF 2004, the ninth, scheduled from Jan. 15 to Feb. 15. Attractions range from a grand prize of 10 kg gold and daily prizes that include a villa in Dubai, two luxurious cars and a 150,000 dirham cash prize.
The festival will see 200 events including entertainment and sports.
“Being introduced for the first time is a night souk to give shoppers a 24-hour experience — 80 shops will offer their products at factory outlet prices,” Al-Nabouda said.
Dubai will continue giving visas on arrival, according to Dubai Immigration PR Coordinator Capt. Omar Al-Shamsi, who is also a member of the DSF organizing committee. “Saudis don’t need a visa, and residents of the Kingdom and other GCC countries, barring those with labor status on their iqamas or residence permits, can get a visa on arrival.”
