Dubai Festival City to host Global Village 2004

The waterfront development is partnering with the Dubai Shopping Festival Committee for the 2004 event and is committed to delivering 30 days of quality retailing and festive fun.

"In hosting the Global Village, Dubai Festival City is once again proud to be working alongside the Government of Dubai," said Omar Al-Futtaim, CEO of the Al-Futtaim Group, developers of Dubai Festival City.

"For Global Village 2004 our primary focus will be on hosting a quality event and on delivering an entertaining attraction for everyone - tourists, residents, families and teenagers. Global Village 2004 will appeal to all age groups, nationalities and cultures, it will be 30 days of fun for all."

Echoing the 'One World, One Family, One Festival' Dubai Shopping Festival tagline, "the Global Village 2004 will host more country pavilions than ever before with some European countries signalling their intention to participate for the first time, while the event's fun fair will boast thrilling new rides," said Alan Gordon, General Manager, Special Projects, Dubai Festival City.

"In many ways the fun and entertainment on offer will reflect some of the fundamental elements of Dubai Festival City as this unique waterfront project will become a leading family entertainment and retail destination, not just for Dubai, but for the region, and to the many international visitors to the emirate," added Gordon.

"The Dubai Festival City team is strongly determined to deliver an energised community spirit and in assisting the Dubai Shopping Festival committee in the staging of Global Village 2004, we are sincerely pleased to clearly demonstrate our commitment to the various communities we intend to serve."

The partnership approach which has seen Dubai Festival City work so closely and successfully with the Dubai Shopping Festival Committee echoes an underlying ethos of the waterfront destination.

"Partnership will be our approach to delivering the best the world has to offer to visitors, residents and retailers alike," continued Omar Al-Futtaim.

Next year will see the 1,600 acre project reach several development milestones.

"The first elements of this centreplace destination will come to fruition in 2004," said Al-Futtaim. "This includes the opening of our world class 18-hole championship golf course, designed by Robert Trent Jones II, as well as the opening of our first community homes around the Al Badia Golf Resort.

"Early next year will also see the first phase of our waterfront community come alive - a Creekside Corniche, which will boast Dubai's first and only pier. Dotted along The Corniche will be shops and restaurants. This will be a new meeting place for Dubai where people can stroll, dine and shop."

Information on the various communities included in the Dubai Festival City masterplan will be available to Global Village 2004 visitors.

"Visitors will be able to discover more about this huge mixed-use project which is set to transform Dubai's downtown centre and raise the regional benchmark for shopping, living, working and playing," said Al-Futtaim.