Global Village rewards its half-millionth visitor

Huge crowds are turning up to visit the colourful shopping and entertainment extravaganza this year and in turn, Global Village is rewarding every half-millionth visitor. Its first recipient, David B Hewitt, a lecturer from the American University in Sharjah, strode through the entrance on Wednesday evening.

'The organisation of Global Village this year is wonderful,' said Mr. Hewitt. 'Traffic wasn't a problem, parking was easy and then to be told I was the 500,000th visitor was amazing.'

Mr. Hewitt received his prize courtesy of Bin Hendi Jewellery.

'Every time Global Village reaches a half-million point, that lucky visitor will receive a Cerutti watch courtesy of Bin Hendi,' said Mr Rosario Crasto, Bin Hendi Enterprises.

Global Village entertained over 2.3 million visitors in 2002 and expects even more for the 2003 event.

'During the last Global Village, we greeted an average of 75,000 visitors a day,' said Alan Gordon, General Manager, Global Village. For 2003, we expect the numbers to go even higher and wanted to do something special to mark each 500,000 visitor to Global Village.'

The Global Village is being hosted by Dubai Festival City, a key sponsor of the Dubai Shopping Festival. The Dubai Festival City development is the signature 'city-within-a-city' project being developed on the banks of Dubai Creek by the Al-Futtaim Group.

Global Village 2003 is being jointly produced and managed by DSF and the Al-Futtaim Group. It will feature 32 pavilions, the fun fair, stage and street entertainment, restaurants, coffee shops and a new children's play area.

ENDS