Dubai: Even as Dubai Summer Surprises (DSS) concluded last week, some of its activities have been extended during the summer to spread cheer and festivities among Dubai’s tourists and residence.
Shopping promotions and discounts will continue to offer shoppers more value for their money throughout Ramadan and Eid.
Meanwhile, Modhesh World, which attracted thousands of families to its family-friendly environment providing them with an edutainment experience through more than 40 different interactive zones and stage shows, will remain open throughout the month of Ramadan, until August 25, offering themed activities catering to the occasions of Ramadan and Eid, Laila Suhail, CEO of Dubai Events and Promotions Establishment (DEPE), said.
At the end of the DSS, Laila said that the summer shopping event has once again proved to be an important catalyst for economic activity in the Emirates.
DEPE, the organisers of DSS, cited figures from strategic partners and organisations in various key sectors such as retail, hospitality, airways, and exchange, indicating improved market performance during the DSS.
In Modhesh World, the indoor edutainment theme park operated by DEPE, visitor numbers reached a high of 150,000 during the first half, and the final result is expected to be bigger.
In addition to drawing record numbers of tourists each year, DSS sparked increased spending by both domestic consumers as well as regional and international tourists who visited Dubai to experience the plethora of leisure, shopping, and entertainment offers of DSS.
Expressing gratitude to all the strategic partners of DSS for contributing to make the 15th edition of the annual summer spectacle another great success, Laila said: “The DSS results showed positive effect on all sectors. Every year DSS proves its importance as a major contributor to business activity in Dubai, and establishing the Emirates as a destination for family holidays. The results match our expectations and we are confident that the momentum will be sustained for the remainder of DSS.”
She added: “DSS 2012 featured more than 100 various activities designed to appeal and attract all family members from different cultures and age groups.”
Pointing to the number of DSS activities and attractions, Laila said: “Shopping promotions and discounts of up to 75 per cent were found across more than 70 participating malls and about 6,000 shops.
“Weekly raffles presented winners with Nissan Cars, cash prizes, shopping vouchers, flight tickets, and spa vouchers.”
Amongst the most interesting events for families were the cartoon character stage shows spread across key malls featuring Sponge Bob at Dubai Marina Mall, Smurfs at Mirdif City Centre, City of Friends at Dubai Mall, Hello Kitty at Dubai Festival City, Charlie and Lola at Mercato, Teletubbies at Modhesh World, Ice Age at Modhesh World and Mall of Emirates, and Barbie at Al Ghurair Mall.
Over the last 15 years, DSS has evolved to become more attractive and appealing to more segments. This was reflected again with DSS 2012 as events such as Kids Fashion Week and Sheila and Abaya Fashion Shows were refreshed and presented again, while brand new events such as World of Puppets, took place, she said.
FACT BOX:
DSS activities
- Kids Fashion Week
- Modhesh World
- The New “World of Puppets”
- Kids Fashion Week
- “Create Your Look” competition bonded parents and their kids to compete on creating the best design and winning a valuable prize
- “Sheila and Abaya Fashion Shows”
- The “Emerging talents” competition.
Weekly raffle
Weekly raffle draw at BurJuman presented winners with:
- A Nissan Micra Car in addition to Dh150,000 in cash (Collaboration of Enoc/Eppco, AW Rostamani, and DEPE)
- Dh250,000 in cash in addition to Dh250,000 worth of shopping vouchers (Dubai Shopping Malls Group)
- Five prizes of Dh25,000 in cash and Dh25,000 worth of shopping vouchers (Dubai Shopping Malls Group)
- Five air-flight tickets (MasterCard and Dubai Shopping Malls Group)
- 13 spa voucher worth Dh5,000 presented by each of the 13 participating spas.
