How is this year’s Cityscape different?
This will be the biggest Cityscape since its inception. We have a 30 per cent larger exhibition space of over 40,000 square metres.
How many exhibitors are you expecting?
We have registered 310 exhibitors so far, up from 282 last year.
What are the highlights of the event?
Several new and existing projects will be on display but the focus will be on developments for middle-income groups. Areas like Dubailand, Dubai World Central will also take centrestage.
The realty market hasn’t quite picked up pace this year. Will this slowdown impact the event?
The market is indeed slow. What we are seeing now is a natural correction. This is a good sign. Realty prices were growing in double digits for three years continuously and the city was becoming unaffordable.
But this year has been different. Besides more exhibitors, we are seeing a good number of pre-registrations from visitors and investors. There could be two reasons for this – one that people are not panicking with property prices falling. Secondly, they are keen to visit the show and see the progress of existing projects. It is a single platform where people can get a feel of the market and its prices.
What is your anticipation regarding the visitor turnout?
Last year we had 47,000 visitors and we hope that this year the number will be much better. Our pre-registrations are looking good.
