Global Village breaks 3m visitor barrier with 36 per cent increase

And the final visitor tally means the Dubai Festival City attraction pulled more visitors in a month than the Tower of London - one of the world's most famous tourist landmarks - gets in a year.

"In more ways than one we've had a record-breaking month," said Global Village General Manager, Alan Gordon.

"Global Village this year was bigger than ever, had more pavilions, restaurants, funfair rides and entertainment than in the past and this has resulted in record-breaking attendance.

"It's amazing to think that in one month we, together with sterling support from the DSF committee, have successfully hosted around 500,000 more people than visit the Tower of London in a year."

At the close of the DSF, Global Village was voted the top attraction by 48.8% of respondents in a media led poll.

"Records fell all the way," said Gordon. "We had a record 32 country pavilions, a record 60 international restaurants, a 50% larger funfair, a 30% larger car-park and improved access that all contributed to bring the crowds to Global Village."

Whilst the Creekside spectacular proved a huge hit with residents and tourists alike bringing record crowds to the 2003 event, Gordon says it has probably reached its visitor potential.

"This year's turn out is probably the maximum we can safely accommodate in a month," he said.

"We cannot get any bigger, the infrastucture is maximised due to the physical location. We have the Creek on one side, Garhoud Bridge and Rebat Road on the other side and the car-park is already one kilometre long.

"Next year, while we'll be looking to increase the number of countries represented, we'll also be focussing our attention on raising the quality level yet again."

Dates for DSF 2004 have yet to be announced but even before the close of this year's event, the Global Village team started looking ahead.

"We're already planning to improve the Global Village layout for 2004 and have already reviewed this year's event with our architects," said Gordon.

"We've gained valuable information from this year's Global Village and we'll be looking very carefully at what worked, what didn't work and the ways to make next year's event, better, brighter and more enjoyable for the millions of visitors who come to experience this unique 'window-on-the-world'."

Global Village 2003 was jointly produced and managed by DSF and the Al-Futtaim Group, a key sponsor of the Dubai Shopping Festival 2003. Al Futtaim is the owner/developer of Dubai Festival City, the signature waterfront project being developed on the banks of Dubai Creek.

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