GCC journalists given a warm welcome by DSS Office

The delegation included Talal Al Radadi, of Saudi magazine Agnehet Al Musafer, Adam Yusuf, of the Kuwaiti newspaper Al Gareeda, Faleh Al Zobiani, of Saudi newspaper Oqaz and Khaled Darraj, the editorial manager for the Saudi newspaper Al Riyadh.

The visit falls within the context of the DSS attempts to launch channels of dialogue and cooperation with different regional media. The Visiting Journalists Programme was launched at the onset of the tenth edition of DSS on June 21st in cooperation with Alpha Tours Co., one among the main DSS 2007 sponsors.

The DSS Office has received eight delegations since the start of the leading summer extravaganza, including representatives of different English and Arabic regional media. The last delegation was welcomed by Rana Ghazi, Communication and Public Relation Manager, who updated the delegates on the wide spectrum of In-Mall and Modhesh Fun City activities organised during the 10th edition of the region's biggest fiesta.

"The results achieved during the tenth DSS edition are beyond all expectations, with In-Mall sales during the first seven weeks having surged to AED 78.2 million, which is a 152 per cent increase compared to the same period last year," she said.

She also singled out the considerable change introduced during DSS 2007 in terms of the way the Surprises are being organized and on the roles played by different governmental bodies. "The new strategy adopted this year is one of the leading factors behind the resounding success witnessed so far," she noted, explaining that each Surprise now lasts the whole 10 weeks unlike the previous editions where one week was allotted for a themed surprise. "All DSS activities are now tailored to meet the needs of adults and children alike," she added.

The delegates were escorted by DSS employees to have a first hand experience of the activities hosted by different malls in Dubai, including Ibn Battuta, Mall of the Emirates, as well as Modhesh Fun City. The group was briefed on the mega-projects established around the Emirate while also making a visit to the main tourist attractions.

"Such great successes notched by the DSS can never be attained by chance, but can rather be attributed to the well-coordinated efforts and cooperation binding all private and public sector authorities," said Adam Yusuf.

"Dubai now constitutes a benchmark for success at the economic, social, and cultural levels in the entire region. It has become the prime summer tourist destination despite its simmering summer by virtue of the DSS," noted Faleh Al Zobiani.

Khaled Darraj, who brought his family along with him during the trip said, "We visit Dubai on a regular basis. We always feel at home while being here, it is our second homeland. People in the UAE are very hospitable and friendly."

The delegation spent four days and three nights in Dubai, during which they met a number of key public and private officials as well as representatives of the main sponsors of DSS 2007.