Dubai:

The UAE has spared no efforts to succeed in its race for excellence, and the annual improvement of activities lined up for the Dubai Shopping Festival is testimony, Laila Mohammad Suhail, Chief Executive Officer, Dubai Events and Promotions Establishment, said.

Unveiling the extensive line-up of events and activities ahead of the launch of DSF 2013, Laila said the UAE has positioned itself among the best shopping and entertainment destinations of the world.

“It is the exciting events and shopping-related offerings that have encouraged loyal visitors to come back for more every year during DSF and also attracted millions of new tourists to Dubai,” she said.

Since it was launched in 1996 based on the directives of His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, the event has become an internationally acclaimed family fiesta.

“The festival’s success year after year is based on several factors but there is an underlying reason for such an overwhelming response from visitors from around the world — DSF brings out the best of Dubai by offering one of the best shopping experiences in the world and organising events and activities that spread joy and excitement across the city, bringing people from different nationalities together to create special memorable moments,” she said.

She added: “The exciting calendar of events that we have lined up for Dubai Shopping Festival 2013 is based on our relentless intent to create a cheerful, charming ambience across the entire city that will put residents and visitors in the correct frame of mind and give them the opportunity to go out, enjoy and become a part of Dubai at its Best.”

“This is because we strongly believe that DSF is not just about shopping but also creating the correct ambience to make it an enriching and unforgettable experience. While the opening ceremony will put the city’s lifeline, the Dubai Creek, in the spotlight, we are also focusing several of our activities in key locations along the Creek to revive nostalgic memories and tell the world the story of how it all began — the rise of Dubai from a small town with seafaring traditions to an international city of excellence.”