DSF popularity rising sky high

DSF 2006 is scheduled for January 4-February 4

Ten long years and the popularity of the Dubai Shopping Festival has been rising sky high. The latest figures coming out of an independent study commissioned by the DSF office is a clear indication that the Dubai Shopping Festival, which is a brand icon in its own right, is truly a world-class event which is fast growing with every passing year. No wonder the DSF 2005 has registered a total visitor participation of a record 3.3 million people and an overall expenditure of 6.67 billion registering an increase of six per cent and 15 per cent respectively.

The study shows that the success of the stronger DSF this year has been mainly due to it being revamped as a family and entertainment experience rather than a purely shopping fiesta. Whilst shopping remained the main focal theme of DSF, this year the success of family experience complemented the shopping aspects with participants particularly impressed by the emphasis and variety of activities with universal appeal.

Total visitor number rose to 3.3 million, against DSF 2004 figures of 3.1 million, with an increase of 6.5 per cent. Residents' participation increased to 2.2 million, a record level, and international visitors to DSF increased to 1.1 million.

Commenting on the results, Saeed Mohammed Al Nabouda, DSF CEO said, "The results of this research show that the DSF brand is well established worldwide. The value of the DSF to the UAE tourism economy has been significant and its contribution to the development and growth of leisure tourism momentum is unquestionable from this year's results. Regionally, the DSF has positioned Dubai as a leading shopping cum entertainment destination, whilst the longer haul markets are encouraged to revisit and recommend the destination once the DSF experience has been sampled," said Al Nabouda.

He added, "The festival, has incontestably fetched a place for UAE on the world map to mark it as a top world class tourism destination. From the very beginning, DSF has proved itself to be a pioneer in the festival industry and has boosted the economy of Dubai by leaps and bounds. The new DSF starting from January 4 and running until February 4, 2006 is bound to cater to the changes in the coming decade and the Organising Committee will be in full swing implementing new ideas and themes to expand the appeal of the all-endearing festival beyond expectations."

DSF 2006 comes with a new colourful logo with its shopping bag taking the form of a 3D image thus enhancing its appeal to the onlookers. The bottom of the logo is adorned with its most popular theme of One World One Family Festival thus making its overall appearance a visual treat.