DSF office reveals positive results for DSS 2008

The results of the 65-day-long summer event indicated that visitor numbers stood at 2.1m visitors, same as the DSS 2007 edition, while visitor expenditure showed a 4.3% increase raking in Dhs3.35bn.

His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman, Dubai Airports; Chairman and Chief Executive, Emirates Airline and Group, and Chairman of DSF Office Supreme Committee hailed the summer extravaganza for its vital role in positioning Dubai as a world leading summer destination against all odds, in addition to vitalizing the slow summer season and turning it into an energizing event for various economic sectors.

HH said, "While the winds of the global economic slowdown were sweeping across the world, the retail and tourism sectors in Dubai enjoyed a healthy season during DSS 2008. The results achieved by the DSS 2008 edition are another proof of the catalyst role that this event has established for itself both locally and regionally."

HH also stressed that the fact that DSS 2009 is being finalized at the moment is a clear message that Dubai is consistent in its endeavor to be a leading tourist destination what ever the challenges.

HH Shaikh Ahmed Bin Saeed also emphasized that this success was based on many factors, but the key factor being the solid and unique cooperation between the Government of Dubai and the private sector in supporting such initiatives.

"The formula that we have crafted to bring both the private and public sectors together behind this event is a key element of the past, present and the future achievements of DSS," said HH.

"DSS will integrate with other ongoing Government of Dubai initiatives that aim to promote Dubai as a sought after summer destination," HH concluded.

The upcoming 12th edition of the summer extravaganza is due to begin on the 11th of June and continue till 14th of August 2009.

Laila Suhail, DSF Office CEO said, "We at DSF Office are fully aware of the challenges face us while organizing this edition of DSS. The tourism industry has become extremely competitive and we are competing with world class holiday destinations, yet we have reinvented our event and added a lot of attractions that will definitely put us in the driver's seat of the Festivals industry this summer."

"We will strive to make both visitors and residents of Dubai feel the difference this summer, thus providing them with a holiday experience like no other. Our festivities and promotions will be city wide and we will give all visitors value for money where ever they spend it, and that will be our main aim," she added.

"DSF Office will be banking on its solid associations with its partners, whether they are Government Departments or key private sector players, in addition to its great accumulated experience to bring all parties together and work unanimously towards the bigger picture, which is promoting Dubai," she said.

Suhail also highlighted the fact that most retailers await DSS to improve their sales by taking advantage of the promotion packages on offer during the event.

"As one of Dubai's Department of Economic Development's agencies, and working closely with them on the lines of their overall economic strategy, we have succeeded in creating a unique platform for all retailers to reap the fruits of such a vibrant event. We attract more than 2 million visitors to attend DSS every year by offering them unparalleled promotions and sales, and the retailers benefit by enhanced sales revenues; it's a win-win situation," Suhail said.

Laila Suhail also hailed the loyal sponsors of the event, especially the ones who have supported DSS from day one, stating that they are the real champions of the achievements of past years. "The trust and devotion placed by our key sponsors in our event has certainly played a pivotal role in our successes. We have enjoyed the support of leading private sector entities along the years; these entities are really committed to the prosperity and development of Dubai, and we are proud to be associated with them."

DSS 2008 sponsors comments

Fareed AbdelRahman, VP-Asset Management, Majid Al Futtaim Properties said, "The Majid Al Futtaim Group has been a proud sponsor and partner of both Dubai Shopping Festival and Dubai Summer Surprises since their very first editions. The fact that we have continued this association to date speaks of the positive benefits our malls have experienced. We endeavor to sustain this commitment to supporting such exemplary initiatives of the Government of Dubai which have helped position the Emirate as an important shopping destination."

Ahmed Khoory, Emirates' Senior Vice President Commercial Operations Gulf, Middle East and Iran said, "We have been sponsoring the event since its inception in 1998 as part of our commitment to promote Dubai as a tourist and trade destination. Emirates has always offered irresistible packages as part of a worldwide drive to meet customer needs at bargain prices."

"Emirates flies to almost 100 destinations in 61 countries and is promoting DSS worldwide with a full-scale PR and advertising campaign," he added.

Majid Al Ghurair, Chairman of Dubai Shopping Malls Group (DSMG) said, "The collective raffle promotion organized by the Dubai Shopping Malls Group helped the industry to position shopping as a key component during Dubai's summer festivities. Moreover, DSMG is able to send out a strong promotion message to its target audience by organising campaigns with mega winning opportunities and also making it convenient for DSS shoppers get a chance to win in most malls in the city during the festive period."

He said that, "Our longstanding association with DSS since 1997 helped the participating malls to take advantage of the immense retail opportunities. In the year 2008, the participating DSMG malls achieved 5 per cent year on year business growth."

"Summer in the UAE has become a whole new experience ever since the idea of Dubai Summer Surprises was introduced in 1998. This initiative which was launched under the directives of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum aimed to strengthen the national economy and enhance the tourism sector in the UAE. The success of this idea has crossed the local and regional borders, and DSS has become an internationally acknowledged event attracting millions from all over the world," said Hussain Kazim, Corporate Communications Manager of Emarat.

"Emirates General Petroleum Corporation 'Emarat', which is very committed to its social responsibility that urges it to support economic and touristic development in the UAE in general and Dubai in particular, has always been a principal sponsor of the Dubai Summer Surprises," he added.

"Emarat recorded an increase of 22% in its sales during DSS 2008, as it had provided distinctive promotional offers, including prizes and the certain winning for all Emarat's stations customers, a matter which added fun and happiness to the different community members and the visitors of the UAE," he concluded.