DSF GCC Road Show is yet another success story in the region

But this advantage has been further heightened this year as hotels, tourism and rent-a-car companies report reservations until much beyond the one month DSF period, thanks to the success of the DSF Road shows this year.

The Road Show, which is one of the innovative ideas of the DSF Office, targeting India, the World Travel Market in London, Russia and GCC countries, has been a tremendous success once again this year. With this year's most popular shopping festival gearing towards providing a more family oriented experience to the visitors, the Road Shows have successfully conveyed the new ideas as well as the popular older ones to a wider audience.

"The DSF Road Show has been one of our chief facets in attracting a huge number of visitors from the GCC countries, and this year round too, the participating delegation has done a remarkable job in spreading the word of the new and salient features of this incredible shopping fiesta. Much thanks goes to Dubai Tourism Commerce and Marketing (DTCM) DSF's international media partners and Emirates airlines, one of our Key sponsors, for making this event such a success,"

said Saeed Al Nabouda, DSF CEO, who headed the delegation to Oman and Saudi Arabia.

The success of the 11-day show headed by the DSF delegation including the Dubai Naturalisation and Residency Department (DNRD) and a large number of representatives from prime Dubai hotels, travel agencies and rent-a-car companies, has been a sure cause for celebrations. It gave the DSF delegation and the hospitality trade not only an opportunity to promote Dubai as the place to be, come January 4, but also greater exposure to Dubai as an exciting city even after the conclusion of the festival. With the emirate shaping up to be one of the 'must see' cities in the world, the old charms and the new face of Dubai has lent an extra allure to the festival.

"We are expecting record number of visitors, exceeding last year's 3.3 million, to Dubai during DSF 2006. And the number of vehicles on the roads would certainly increase drastically due to this influx of people. But in bringing together such a huge festival, we consider every eventuality and detail of the most important and the most trivial matters. In this regard, we have already formed a committee that would find a solution to the traffic problem by organising special lanes and diversions during the festival for a hassle free month," said Ibrahim Saleh, DSF COO, while answering to the common questions put up by journalists in those destinations. Ibrahim Saleh headed the delegation in Kuwait, Qatar and Bahrain.

The visitors from the neighbouring Gulf countries have always played an important part in the success of DSF throughout its decade of history. The large and increasing number of visitors from the GCC regions every year stands testimony to the appeal the shopping and cultural fest holds for people of the region and of their friendship with the people of UAE.

The DSF Road Shows also urged the regional media in the GCC countries to participate in the regional category of DSF2006 Journalism Award that offers attractive cash prizes.

With the Dubai Shopping Festival acting as a strong medium in revitalising trade and tourism in the country, this year a record number of 3.4 million visitors are expected to participate in DSF's 11th edition.

The Dubai Shopping Festival runs between January 4 and February 4, 2006.