Dubai: Everyone’s a winner in the Dubai Shopping Festival (DSF).
Shoppers win, they receive prizes and bargains. Shops win, they gain customers and profits. Families win, they enjoy entertainment and dining. Tourists win, they revel in resorts and heritage areas. And workers win, they earn income and job opportunities.
It’s a win-win deal for everyone touched by DSF.
The annual month-long celebration of “Dubai at its Best” has perhaps become the city’s best known attraction, with many residents and visitors planning for the occasion months in advance. They save so they can splurge in DSF, or hold back holidays until DSF arrives so they have greater leisure options.
Since its start in 1996, DSF has generated tens of billions of dirhams in business revenues and also in terms of the value of prizes — cash, cars and gold.
What’s more, it has attracted tens of millions of people — traditions and loved ones together under its theme of “One World – One Family – One Festival.”
Despite its title, DSF is much more than shopping alone — a confluence of cultures as visitors and shows from all corners of the world arrive to represent varied heritage. The aptly named Global Village and Heritage Village attractions are just a few examples.
There’s great fun for little ones too, as a dizzying variety of rides, games, and shows keep children thrilled. And outdoor stage shows and street performances for grown-ups also present an opportunity to enjoy the fresh winter air.
As Dubai dresses up in a plethora of lights and decoration, the “festival” part of DSF comes to life.
In the end, perhaps, it’s about real people and real lives. Gulf News recently highlighted how DSF has transformed lives for the better, through prizes and opportunities.
Here, we bring you an eagle-eye view of DSF through the years, how it has changed — and how it has changed Dubai.
Some of Dubai’s landmark structures, events and promotions have their origins in DSF.
The media centre of DSF organisers Depe (Dubai Events and Promotions Establishment) told Gulf News how the extravaganza became a success story, with its ‘secret’ being a synergy of cooperation between the public and private sector.
“Organising any edition of the DSF is a huge challenge and the festivals could not have been successfully staged without the support of our strategic partners and key sponsors. It is because of this long-standing partnership between the government and private sectors that DSF is today being seen around the world as an international festival brand par excellence. In fact, this support from the private sector has led to Dubai being crowned as the ‘World Festival and Event City 2012’ by the International Festivals and Events Association, the world’s leading trade association for events,” said Depe’s media centre.
“On February 15, 1996, the Dubai Shopping Festival was born with great fanfare with the aim of revitalising trade, boosting tourism, and to set the benchmark for events and festivals around the world.
Today, this unique concept based on the vision and directives of His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, became a resounding success in the inaugural year and since then there has been no looking back.
“Today, Dubai Shopping Festival has grown into one of the world’s spectacular retail success stories and continues to make waves as the biggest and best shopping plus entertainment extravaganza in the region.
“No doubt, DSF has stimulated economic activity in Dubai and continues to help maintain the city’s global status.”
