Dubai: The Dubai Shopping Festival (DSF) has enjoyed a very encouraging response from local and foreign visitors since it opened on January 28.
"Within just 10 days of the DSF, the Global Village has recorded 620,000 visitors. Last Friday was a record breaker as the number of visitors soared to 115,000," said Saeed Ali Bin Reda, Global Village CEO, in a phone interview with Gulf News.
"We are very positive that more people will come and visit the Global Village in the next few days, especially during Fridays," added Bin Reda.
In fact, the Global Village, arguably Dubai's most popular outdoor cultural entertainment and shopping destination at this time of year, credited the DSF when it witnessed the biggest number of visitors last Friday since it opened last November 22.
Popular
The Global Village and various street events (Al Riqqa, Al Dhiyafah, The Walk at Jumeirah Beach Residence and Al Seef) are the most popular so far among the various events and establishments participating in the DSF.
Thursdays and Fridays are the days when visitor traffic is heaviest.
Last year, visitor numbers during DSF increased by 4.6 per cent to 3.35 million according to Dubai Events and Promotions Establishment (DEPE), an increase of 4.6 per cent over the 2008 edition.
To attract more visitors, DEPE has launched the Discounted Travel to Dubai for DSF 2010 package, which gives value-added benefits of discounted travel and hotel rates and special shopping offers to visitors during the 32-day festival.
DEPE expects at least 30,000 families to take advantage of the package, which would translate to an additional 90,000 visitors. The initiative aims to increase tourist inflow by up to 30 per cent during DSF.
"The Travel to Dubai during DSF package is an ideal example of the partnership between the government and the private sector in the wider aim of promoting Dubai as a world-class destination," Laila Suhail, CEO of DEPE, told Gulf News in an email statement.
The package covers discounts on tours, safaris, hotels, special air fares, complimentary breakfasts, and shopping vouchers.
DSF winners
Raffle winners February 6
Lexus Daily Raffle
Winner: Mohd. Jinnah
Nationality: Indian
Coupon No: 3680
Prize: LS460 + Dh100,000
Nissan Daily Raffle
Winner: Jia Zhi Jun
Nationality: Chinese
Coupon No: 1064281
