Blending culture with commerce

Dubai : With an almost 500 per cent increase in the number of visitors this year compared to 1996, when it opened, Global Village has become a popular destination for residents and tourists alike from all over the world.

From its humble beginnings in 1996 on a small area by the Dubai Creek, where kiosks sold various items from many countries, the Global Village has grown into a massive open-air shopping and entertainment district. In 2008 it attracted nearly 4.5 million visitors.

Dubai constantly strives, through its innovative methods, to meet the needs and expectations of visitors to the Global Village, be it entertainment, shopping, cuisine, exhibitions and international culture.

As such the 14th edition of the Global Village, which opened on November 22 and ends on February 27, 2010, hosts more than 45 countries in 31 pavilions. More than 100 kiosks and 25 restaurants offer native cuisine, goods and handicrafts.

The rides and games create a carnival-like atmosphere, along with the broad spectrum of stalls and activities which include music, dance and theatre.

Shopping

Saeed Ali Bin Redha, Project Director of Global Village, said: "Global Village is a world-class family, cultural entertainment and shopping venue that brings together diverse customs, cultures and cuisines."

Revealing the theme of the 2009 edition of the Global Village, Bin Redha added: "In our endeavour to incorporate newer and exciting events, the theme of the Global Village this year was shaped to highlight the four elements of nature —air, water, fire and earth."

However, he remarked the aspects of attractions will be embedded in the waterway of lights, the art of fire, the human cannonball, and the fireworks festival, Chinese flying poles show, and other exciting performances.

Success

Laila Suhail, Chief Executive Officer of Dubai Events and Promotions Establishment, said: "The Global Village is one of the most successful initiatives that the Dubai Shopping Festival office created while organising the Shopping Festival.

She added: "What makes the Global Village a very special entity by itself is the fact that it is genius idea conceived by the DSF office and no one else."

"The Global Village was an instant hit when it was introduced in 1996, and we always strived to improve the concept and develop it every year and it became a major destination on its own."

Moreover, Global Village is a perfect platform to launch start-up businesses. Not only do they guarantee a continuous stream of visitors and tourists that translates into higher sales volume but also takes care of the initial investment and start-up capital. If carefully planned, one could easily recover the investment within the duration of these events.

Every year the Mohammad Bin Rashid Establishment for Small and Medium Enterprises, a Dubai Government entity dedicated to promoting Emirati entrepreneurship, lends support to tens of small and medium entrepreneurs to set up business in the Global Village.

Low-cost space

The Global Village provides low-cost space and allows SME members to promote and sell their products and enter the retail world.

The participants are happy although earning money might not be easy this year. However, the Global Village offers good opportunities and traders are still able to generate good value for money.

Bin Redha said that the expected number of visitors would not be less than last year's and will attract thousands of tourist from all over the world, benefiting Dubai's economy.

Last year, 4.5 million people visited the Global Village. With average spending of Dh100 per person, total sales exceeded Dh450 million at the Global Village alone.

From the beginning, the Global Village has experienced a steady rise in the number of visitors. And the number is still rising.

At the same time, the number of participating countries has also increased, an indication of the success that the Global Village has achieved and hopes to continue achieving in the years to come.

Better facilities in place

Global Village is an annual event. Different countries sell their cuisine, and exhibit their respective culture in purpose-built pavilions. There are various rides to entertain everyone.

Global Village in Dubailand on Emirates Road.

The Global Village opened on November 22 and will run till February 27, 2010. The opening hours are from 4 pm to midnight Sunday to Wednesday, 4 pm to 1 am on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays. Note that Mondays are family days only - no single men allowed in.

The entry ticket for Global Village this year is Dh10 per person and free for children under three years

The prices of rides at the fun air area range from Dh10 to Dh25

The facilities Global Village has this year include parking space for 16,500 cars, VIP parking, valet parking service, guest relations centre, money exchange, ATM machines - 8 machines conveniently positioned around the site, lost and found department — which will be coordinated through a public announcement system, facilities for the disabled, including wheelchairs and designated restrooms, mosques and restrooms.