Shopping Festival arrivals keep airport humming

Dubai International Airport has been receiving thousands of visitors per day from all over the world since the start of the Dubai Shopping Festival, especially families from the GCC countries. The visitors are welcomed with roses, sweets and gifts by an airport reception committee from the Dubai Naturalisation and Residency Department (DNRD).

Major Saeed bin Bleilah, head of the department, said: "Dubai airport is the beautiful gateway that gives visitors the first taste of Dubai hospitality. That is why the entire staff has been trained to make visitors feel special and relaxed as the staff complete formalities in minimum time."
Abdulla Al Jassimi, assistant chief of the visa service at Dubai airport, said: "We deliver around 3,000 visas per day. The staff is working longer hours to cater to the rush that started with the Festival. We would like to remind people who sponsor relatives and friends to deliver the visas at the airport at least three hours before arrival."

Mahdiya Abdulla Ibrahim, also from the visa service, said: "We have visitors from all over the world, and our job is to give visas quickly to all. Most people who came in the first week are from the GCC." Lt Ahmed Ali Jassim from the Dubai Naturalisation and Residency Department said the entire system has been streamlined to make visitors experience the warmth of Dubai hospitality the moment they land at Dubai International Airport.

"Every day, members of the airport reception committee receive guests and present them with a copy of the Official Dubai Shopping Festival Guide. We then take their passports and ask them to relax as we complete the formalities within a few minutes," he said. Jassim Abdulla, head of the reception committee, said: "This welcome service will be available during all Dubai festivals. A team of 50 people from the Department is involved in this work. We welcome the visitors with flowers and sweets, while the children get gifts and coupons for Dubai Shopping Festival attractions."

Visitors arriving at the airport expressed pleasant surprise at the warm welcome given by the airport reception committee. Suleiman Al Yusif from Saudi Arabia, who was accompanied by his wife and children, said: "This is our first visit to Dubai, and we decided to come for the Dubai Shopping Festival after seeing its attractions on television. I feel this is an ideal place for a family holiday."

Johannes G. Kion of Ethiopia said: "I usually visit Dubai for shopping. Dubai Shopping Festival is different from any other festival in the world, because it is not just about shopping but also activities and prizes." Adel Al Aradi and his bride, Laila, who came from Bahrain on their honeymoon, said: "This is our first visit. We have heard so much about the Dubai Shopping Festival and, therefore, decided to spend our honeymoon here. We are looking forward to a great time here."

Little children have been surprised by the gifts presented to them. Young Badr Al Hajri of Kuwait said: "I am happy to be in Dubai. I am looking forward to seeing Pokemon." Ovi and Sonya Odikman from Germany said: "This is our first visit. We have heard so much about the festival, and we are eagerly waiting to take part in the different activities."