Luxury shopping key tourist attraction in the Middle East

With its AED 1.4 billion expansion well underway, thanks to the opening of the mall extension, BurJuman now boasts the highest concentration of luxury fashion brands under one roof, including Saks Fifth Avenue, Valentino, Louis Vuitton, Hermes, Prada, Ungaro and Chanel.

Luxury is increasingly being seen as a key driver in people's choice of holiday destination and the mall's offer of high end international brands has been a key contributor to Dubai's growing reputation as a luxury shopper's paradise.

Participating on the spacious Dubai Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM) stand, BurJuman will use its presence at ATM 2005 to strengthen strategic alliances with hotels, tour operators and travel agents, while reinforcing its commitment to regional tourism development.

"In the past year, we have seen significant changes at BurJuman. With the opening of the mall extension, footfall has doubled and the length and breadth of our luxury brand offering is now unrivalled in the region," said Sabina Khandwani, head of research and marketing, BurJuman.

"BurJuman remains at the forefront of the unique luxury retail offering in Dubai and ATM affords us the opportunity to convey this to influencers. By participating alongside the DTCM, we are further supplementing their efforts to promote 'Destination Dubai' with tour operators and hoteliers," she added.

Held under the patronage of His Highness General Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and UAE Defense Minister, and under the auspices of the Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing, Government of Dubai, the region's premier event for the travel and tourism industry is scheduled to take place from May 3-6 2005.

"BurJuman has long since recognized the potential of the Arabian Travel Market for the retail industry, being the first shopping mall to participate in this world-class tourism event, in our effort to promote BurJuman as the quintessential shopping destination and as part of our targeted marketing strategy," concluded Khandwani.

The BurJuman expansion project features extensive retail, commercial, leisure and residential developments and covers an area of 4.4 million square feet. Apart from the mall extension, the project includes a 22-storey office tower containing state-of-the-art offices, a hi-tech business centre, a 20,000 square foot exclusive conference hall, Internet facilities, cafes, a fully equipped gymnasium and other sports facilities while the residential complex will comprise 163 furnished and semi furnished condominiums in addition to a block of fully furnished luxury apartments.