Dubai: The Dubai Shopping Festival is expecting high tourist attendance based on recent statistics from the Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM) which show a 20 per cent increase in the number of GCC visitors staying at Dubai hotels during the first six months of 2010 compared to the same period in 2009.
The Egyptian and Indian markets have also grown considerably with visitor figures up by 5 per cent and 26 per cent respectively.
"The number of hotels and hotel apartments increased by 7 per cent to 566 in the period between January and June 2010, compared to 530 in the same period in 2009. This saw total hotel rooms increase from 58,188 rooms to 67,369, a 16 per cent increase of 9,181 rooms, according to the same statistics.
"The above figures clearly indicate an increase in visitors from our target markets and we are optimistic of an increase this year as well," Ebrahim Saleh, festivals coordinator general and deputy CEO of Dubai Events and Promotions Establishment, told Gulf News.
The 16th Dubai Shopping Festival opened with more than 6,000 retail outlets and around 50 shopping malls offering sale and discounted prices of up to 75 per cent. The month-long event will run until February 20.
The DSF, as in previous years, has played a major role in boosting the tourism and retail industries, attracting more than 40 million visitors of various nationalities and recorded consumer spending of over Dh84 billion since its first event in 1996. In a bid to attract tourists, the DSF has joined hands with several hotels to offer promotions.
"During DSF 2011, Emirates is offering a ‘Stay 4, Pay 3' promotion which includes some of the best beach and city hotels in Dubai.
"The package includes accommodation for four nights for the price of three, airport transfers to and from the hotel by private car, and an Arabian Adventures welcome pack, apart from numerous other benefits.
"This promotion can only be obtained during DSF with prices starting from just $55 per person per night based on double occupancy," said Saleh.
During the festival, the Dubai Events and Promotions Establishment and the DSF will embark on a regional promotion roadshow covering Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Egypt and India to tap into the growing markets from that region.
"We usually conduct an indepth analysis and study of our largest tourist arrival destinations and markets to meet their requirements and aspirations before we start any regional or global promotional roadshows for the Dubai Shopping Festival, Dubai Summer Surprises or Eid in Dubai," said Saleh.
With a budget of Dh65 million for this year, the DSF raffles will continue to remain a major attraction of the festival.
The Lexus Mega Raffle will be giving away a luxury SUV and Dh100,000 daily with a grand prize of a Lexus LS600hL. The Nissan Grand Raffle is giving away one Nissan SUV daily in addition to the grand prize of ten Nissan models.
The gold and diamond raffle organised by the Dubai Gold and Jewellery Group sees a comeback this year with 21 kilos of gold being given away. The Skywards Dubai International Jazz Festival 2011 will be the highlight of this year's festival entertainment featuring a number of prominent jazz artists.
Other entertainment includes performances by the Quick Change Dance Illusionist at which Britain's Got Talent stars Keelan Leyser and Charlotte star in a show of magic, illusion and dance and concerts featuring Lebanese singers Fares Karam, Shireen Abdul Wahab, Rabeh Saker, Wael Kfoury, Elissa, Fadel Shaker, Haifa Wehbe and international stars such as Amy Winehouse and Farell Williams.
