Dubai: Theme parks and shopping malls are expected to draw the biggest crowds in Dubai and Abu Dhabi during the Eid Al Adha holidays next week.

One of the major attractions in Dubai will be “Dubai 24 hours”, which is expected to draw large crowds with select malls and retail outlets operating non-stop [for 24 hours] for the first two days of the Eid Al Adha period.

In an emailed statement, Eisa Adam, Board of Director at Dubai Shopping Malls group (DSMG), stated that extended shopping hours marked a time of festivity in Dubai over Eid Al Adha, providing residents and visitors round-the-clock shopping and entertainment access.

Besides, there will be unique attractions and events on offer at a range of shopping malls in Dubai, which are expected to draw GCC visitors.

“With Dubai experiencing a heavy influx of tourists from the GCC during the first half of the year, we are confident that the positive momentum will continue even this season,” Eisa Adam, Board of Director at Dubai Shopping Malls Group (DSMG), stated.

Dubai Festivals and Retail Establishment (DFRE), an agency of the Dubai Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM), will host family-focused events during Eid Al Adha. Residents and visiting families can head to ‘The Beach Family Fair’ at Jumeirah Open Beach in Umm Suqueim.

This event, which is expected to attract families with children of all ages, will feature beach and water based games and run from October 10 to 19, making it the longest Eid celebration in the region according to a DFRE statement.

DTCM is confident family events will attract strong crowds in Dubai as residents and visitors make the most of public and private sector holidays.

“This October, with Dubai Festivals and Retail Establishment’s increased emphasis on family-focused events to celebrate ‘Eid in Dubai – Eid Al Adha’ across Dubai, we believe there is even more on offer for families visiting Dubai over this Eid holiday from nearby GCC countries,” Ahmad Belhoul, chief executive of Strategy and Tourism Sector Development at DTCM, said in an emailed statement.

Other major draw cards in Dubai starting from October 10 include the Arab Idol Concert hosted at Al Bustan Rotana Hotel. Winner Mohammad Assaf from Palestine will perform alongside Syrian Farah Yousuf, Lebanon’s Ziad Khoury, and Faris Karim. The Killers will take centre stage at the Sandance festival at the Atlantis on The Palm.

In Abu Dhabi, meanwhile, according to Mike Oswald, General Manger of Yas Waterworld theme park in Abu Dhabi, Eid Al Adha is the busiest time of the year with regional tourism booming due to public and private sector holidays.

“We expect record numbers during Eid. It’s going to be extremely busy,” he said.

Yas Waterworld, which is located next to Ferrari World on Yas Island, has proven extremely popular in its first year.

Oswald said there would be a diverse crowd coming through the park’s gates but that Saudi Arabian attendance is expected to be “extremely strong” like Eid Al Fitr earlier this year.

He added that daily visitor numbers at “Yas Waterworld could reach 6,500” whilst the Ferrari World could see “7,000 visitors each day”.

Sultan Al Muhairi, Eidfest project manager at Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority (TCA Abu Dhabi) said Yas Waterworld and Ferrari World were popular attractions among GCC visitors, backing expectations for the two theme parks to draw large crowds to Abu Dhabi.

Abu Dhabi will also be hosting a range of performers during Eid Al Adha including Mohammad Abdo at Jumeirah at Etihad Towers on October 18.

International street performers will also entertain crowds in Abu Dhabi during next week celebrations.

— With inputs from Sarah Algethami, Staff Reporter