Ibn Battuta Mall ushers in action-packed festive season

In complete contrast to the retail climate the world over, Ibn Battuta Mall experienced an increase in footfall by 40% over the same period last year.

Marc Jones, Marketing Manager, Ibn Battuta Mall, said:

"We're extremely pleased as we continue to see an increase of shoppers visiting the mall - this is all very promising as we move into the festive season. We hope to keep the momentum going with the best retail services, store options and an entertaining line-up of events."

With expansion plans in the pipeline, Ibn Battuta Mall has also upped the ante on its events calendar. With the start of the fall/winter season, the mall has organised a number of distinct activities for the entire family.

Below is a description of the upcoming events:

• Tomb of Terrors (19 Oct to 1 Nov 08) - The ride designed and set-up by international entertainment service experts Area 51 will feature a scare show using state-of-the art visual and audio effects.
• Rolling Stones Shine a Light Documentary (6 to 26 Nov 08) - Ibn Battuta Mall shifts the spotlight to the world's greatest rock n' rollers, The Rolling Stones, with the launch of Shine a Light at the mall's IMAX cinemas in November. Capturing the raw energy of the band as they rocked New York in 2006, the 3D-version of the Martin Scorcese's acclaimed feature film will bring one of Rolling Stones' unforgettable concerts to life.
• Unite For Diabetes (10 to 15 Nov 08) - November will also see the official launch of the mall's signature health campaign - Unite for Diabetes 2008. The campaign which is officially endorsed by the Ministry of Health is targeted at the city residents and visitors, encouraging them to adopt a more active lifestyle in the face of alarming statistics that marks UAE in danger of becoming the new Diabetes capital.
• Madagascar 2 (27 Nov 08) - Ibn Battuta Mall hosts the premiere evening of the much-anticipated sequel to the 2005 animated hit Madagascar. Alex the lion, Marty the zebra, Melman the giraffe, Gloria the hippo, King Julien, Maurice and the penguins are on a journey to the wilds of Africa to rediscover their roots. Ibn Battuta Mall is celebrating the Central Park Zoo gang's latest escapade with lots of un filled entertainment for all the family.
• Winter Fest (7 Dec 08 to 4 Jan 09) - The mall will close the year with a range of activities celebrating the onset of winter in Dubai, with a frost festival that will run to the beginning of 2009. The month-long festival will showcase various street entertainments, Covent Garden style market-stalls and winter-themed mall decor along with the amazing Ice Age show Live at the mall everyday from 11th December - 3rd January. .

In the interim special National Day and Eid-al-Adha celebrations are also on the cards.