Ready for Dubai Summer Surprises?

The Dubai Shopping Festival Office announced the Dubai Summer Surprises Grand Raffle where visitors and residents this summer stand the chance to win a 2009 model BMW X5 and Dhs100,000 in five exciting draws throughout the summer extravaganza from June 19 to August 22.

The raffle is being organized in cooperation with Emarat, and Arabian Gulf Mechanical Centre (AGMC), the exclusive importer for BMW in Dubai, Sharjah, and the Northern Emirates.

For a coupon purchase of just Dhs200 a lucky winner will take home the prizes worth Dhs400,000 in what is among the biggest summer promotions during DSS 2008. Raffle coupons are available in 80 locations including select fuel stations of Emarat, Eppco, and Enoc, in addition to kiosks at Deira City Centre, Mall of the Emirates, BurJuman, Baniyas Street, Al Fahidi Street, Gold Souk, and Modhesh Fun City.

An attraction of the raffle is the sale of just 5000 coupons per draw, meaning that ticket buyers have a greater chance of winning this DSS. The date for each draw will be determined upon the sale of 5000 raffle tickets. The draws will be telecast on Sama Dubai from one of the shopping malls.

Abdulla Amiri, DSF Office Operations and Logistics Manager and Head of DSS Raffle Committee said,

'Raffle draws have always been a major attraction during DSS giving millions of visitors and residents an opportunity to realize their dreams through winning which is a core characteristic of the summer extravaganza. The DSS Grand Raffle this year is especially attractive because the 2009 BMW X5 is among the newest cars on the roads today.'

Stathis. I. Stathis, General Manager of AGMC said, 'We are extremely delighted to be part of this exciting promotion. The success of DSS Grand Raffle is a significant indication of what the cooperation between the private and the government sector can achieve.'

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Preparations for the upcoming Dubai's Summer Shopping Festival

DSS 2008 Organising Committee held its first meeting aimed at discussing the preparations for the upcoming annual summer event that is being held between 19 June and 21 August 2008, in addition to a general revisal of results of DSS 2007.

With high officials representing 19 different Government Departments attending the meeting, Mr. Ibrahim Saleh, DSF Office General Coordinator, presided the meeting opening with a general recap on the resounding success of DSS 2007 that witnessed a 25% increase in expenditure to reach Dhs3.21bn, and a 12% increase in visitors crossing the 2 million visitor mark.

Mr. Saleh also welcomed Dubai Culture and Arts Authority (DCAA) as a new member of the DSS committee stressing on the added value and potential momentum that the newly established government dept will add to the summer event.

The meeting that was held in Jumairah Emirates Towers highlighted the importance of inserting new and innovative changes to the event to be able to comply with the demands of the fast paced development of Dubai. Several new ideas were put for discussion and possible implementation.

During the meeting, OC members expressed their high contentment with the results achieved in the last edition of DSS, and pledged to continue the streak of achievements through enhancing the communication and cooperation with all parties involved.

'DNRA will commit itself to provide around the clock speedy visit permissions issuance all through DSS 2008' said Major Mohammed Ahmad Al Hamadi, head of Visa permits dept at the Dubai Naturalisation Residency Administration, 'we will also be strongly involved in providing new and innovative ideas for DSS in general'.

Masoud Mohd Saleh Events and communication manager at Dubai Airport stated that all preparations are going on schedule to receive DSS 2008 visitors in the most welcoming way, 'we realize that we are the first point of contact with the visitors, hence we always strive to put extra efforts in making a great first impression,' he said. (AME Info)

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Instant DSF info through SMS

Dubai eGovernment will offer instant information on DSF 2008 events through mDubai, a channel for communication between citizens and government departments via SMS.

To request for information in Arabic for five random events, users need to type DSF A and send the SMS to 4488. The same information can be received in English by typing DSF E.

For information about DSF events taking place in specific locations, a user should send an SMS stating the category type.

For example, to know the schedule of events taking place in Creek Park, in Arabic, a user only needs to type “DSF A CREEK”.

To receive the same information in English, the user should type “DSF E CREEK”.

Other categories include SIGN for signature events, SEEF for Al Seef Road events, MURAQ for Al Muraqqabat Road events, SAMA for Sama Dubai Channel and Grand Raffle Programme, FAZZA for Fazza Championship, HERIT for heritage events, CONCERT for concert and shows, SPORT for sports championships, and ADDL for additional events. Source

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Global Village Review

Visitors from different nationalities and cultures thronged the gates at Global Village, a member of Tatweer, as Dubai Shopping Festival commenced. Adults and children alike lined up to collect their tickets and walk into a world of bargains and deals from across the globe.

With 30 pavilions participating this year, Global Village has come across as an international market fair.

“The weekends are always a trifle richer in customers but today being the second day of DSF, I can see a marked difference in the usual numbers. There are foreigners too and many buyers from across the Emirates,” commented Sravan Kumar, a Rajastani shopkeeper who keeps a stall selling puppets in the Indian Pavilion.

He added, “The clientele I have is largely Westerners so I am very happy to see more sales being made. I am sure the tempo will pick up pace as the shopping festival warms up. Apart from the puppets, the visitors are intrigued by the bangle stand, flutes, wind chime birds and traditional music instruments that I have in my shop. This is my third time at Global Village; I feel the business only gets better each time!”

Stellamae Masumba, a saleswoman from Zimbabwe has her stall in the North African Pavilion and agreed, “Before DSF started, we saw more of the local crowd which is also cosmopolitan but now I can see many tourists who have come by to see the magic of Dubai Shopping Festival unfold. At my stall I sell mainly crochet items – caps, dresses, cardigans, blouses, socks, hats, bedspreads and table covers. I had kept aside some items for this time of the sales period. With larger number of visitors, I am confident of better deals and more purchases now.”

“Arabic perfumes, oud, dehnal oud and ittar are very popular. I keep the best bukhoor burning by the shop to rope in as many customers as possible. It is the first time we have set shop in Global Village, the response has been good but I have a feeling things are only going to get better with the onset of DSF. The products we have range from Dhs 500 per kilo to Dhs 4,000 but we have noted that customers like the best from the lot. The crowd is very selective especially the Arab buyers, so special incense worth Dh 5,000 per kilo has been flown in from our suppliers in Cambodia to meet the growing demands of these clients,” explained Mohammed Mirbahuddin, a perfume shopkeeper in the Bahrain Pavilion.

The Global Village began on December 13 and continues until March 1. Entry is priced at AED 5, infants (under 2 years) and physically challenged visitors enter for free. Gates open at 4pm daily and are open to public on all days. However, Monday is families only day. Source

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Festival Park is the newest attractions in DSF 2008

Festival Park, a new addition to this year's exciting DSF venues opened to visitors on January 24.
Being organized at the Creek Park, Festival Park is slated to be the ultimate picnic and family outing destination throughout DSF.

Mohammed Abdurahman Ahli, DSF Events Coordinator said, 'DSF has always emphasized the wide range of activities it hosts for everyone. Festival Park is a new inclusion in this year's venues to add to the excitement of family outings.'

The events in Festival Park have been designed to provide a whole day of entertainment and adventure and include a Fun Fair, a Mini Animal Farm, an Inflatable Land, a display of Watani events, and numerous highlights over the weekends.

The main attraction, though, will be the Festival Stage where the Weekend shows will be organized. The Journey Show, a unique cultural display of 36 performers from two continents, will be held at the Festival Stage between Feb 7 and 9 at 7:45pm. A couple of weeks later, another Weekend show - the Flying Art Show, will be shown to audiences at the same stage between Feb 21 and 23 at 7:45pm.

As DSF celebrates ten years of breaking records, the Festival Park will be the main venue for Guinness World Records attempts between Feb 21 and 23. The Dubai Carnivals will also make a halt at the Park on three occasions, complete with jugglers, magicians, clowns, stilt walkers, and a whole array of international performers.

Folk groups from Turkey, Serbia, Senegal, Mexico, and India are slated to perform at the Festival Stage and living-statue performers from Slovakia will be a lively addition to the Park atmosphere.

An attraction for children and adults alike would be the Flying Fox, an activity where participants can glide from an elevation on a rope to the ground. Flying Fox is just one of the endless exciting events being organized this DSF at Festival Park.

Festival Park is one of the new attractions in DSF 2008. The others are the Fireworks Festival, Dubai Carnivals, and the Weekend Shows. Each of these has been designed to cater to an audience of different tastes and in every age group. (AME)

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Damac Properties introduces Amber Residence in Dubai Residential City

Damac Properties, the luxury lifestyle provider and the region's leading private sector master developer has added another exclusive product to their ever growing portfolio of luxury offerings.

Amber Residence in Dubai Residential City, located in Dubai World Central takes the number of Damac properties under development to over 80 projects.

Dubai World Central is a massive, multi-phase development centered on the world's largest international airport. A 140 square kilometer city, almost twice the size of Hong Kong Island, it is the world's first truly integrated logistics platform, with all transport modes, logistics and value added services, in a Free Zone environment. This self-sustaining development, once complete will be a new city where about 750,000 people will live and work.

Speaking at the launch, Hussain Sajwani, Chairman of Damac Properties, said: "Amber Residence is a modern architectural design offering the finest residential and retail lifestyle. It is designed to offer true value for money with interiors that have been tastefully designed and every detail breathing comfort. One will have easy access to everything. With 110 nationalities from across the globe who bought properties from Damac. Amber Residence is yet another unique offering which will perfectly enhance the Damac portfolio." Peter Riddoch, CEO, Damac Properties, said, "Amber Residence is perfectly located in a self-sustaining development, at Jebel Ali, once completed it will be a new city where about 750,000 people will live and work. Undoubtedly making it the most strategically important development launched until today." Amber Residence is tastefully designed and offers high levels of comfort. Within the residence, the tenants will enjoy exclusive leisure and fitness facilities. An unmatched asset and experience for the homeowner with a distinctive lifestyle that offers unparalleled opportunities from designer boutiques to fine dining restaurants.

Damac Holding has now grown into a global conglomerate with more than 7000 employees in 18 countries. Being the first private sector company to make a commitment to Dubai's real estate market, Damac Properties has become the market leader with a strong sales record to its credit.(WAM)

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Dubai Shopping Festival begins today

Dubai Shopping Festival (DSF) is set to bring in a huge number of tourists as its reach expands with the 13th edition beginning today and running until February 24.
DSF 2008 executive director Laila Mohammed Suhail said the festival drew 3.2 million visitors last year and this year they expect a 5-10 per cent growth.

“DSF was initially focused on the GCC, CIS, Middle East and the subcontinent,” Laila said. “But Dubai has taken such a huge leap that we are targeting a broader area.”

Laila said DSF had evoked an increasing interest and a growth in tourists from Europe, particularly Germany, the UK and CIS.


However, with the economies of India and China booming, DSF is now being promoted further in these markets. “DSF is being promoted in China, Far East and Europe but India and the GCC are still probably the most important markets,” Laila said. Source

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