Dubai: "Expect the world, and get it!" That's the Dubai Shopping Festival (DSF) 2006 slogan. Its organisers are claiming the event is on course and all planned activities are on schedule.
"We're still working on our final plan, so we can't let you know what we've got in store for the festival yet, said Mike Davidson, President of Middle East Council Centres and the Director of Wafi Properties.
"Like all shopping malls it is an important part of our planning, takes a significant part of our budget but really is worth it, bringing people to Dubai in what could otherwise be a really quiet time after Christmas and New Year."
To ensure another year of record visitor numbers, the DSF Road Show is already rolling. It kicked off in India last week.
Over 2,000 outlets will be part of this year's DSF says the organiser, and there are 25 patrons and key sponsors.
Each of these outlets will conceive its own theme, noted Davidson. "It's very much left to each shopping mall to come up with its theme.
"And it really works. It has been going for 11 years and the fact that it has been going for so long shows that. It wouldn't be such an important part of our planning, and take up such a budget if it wasn't.
There will be over 115 events over the event's 32 days. There will also be nightly fireworks at Al Mamzar Park, Dubai Creek and Global Village.
Events include Dubai Fashion 2006 running from January 17 to 19 at the Dubai Park Hyatt. Circus Oz (January 12-13) at the Dubai World Trade Centre Hall No 3 takes the daring route, with international circus artistes performing feats of sheer daredevilry. Masters An Art Exhibition, handles the cultural responsibility, displaying the works of Van Gogh, Picasso, Renoir, Monet and others
The shopping events include activities taking place in the Global Village where there are 38 national pavilions.
"It's a place where Iranian coloured glass, Indian folk arts and Coco De Mer hats from the Seychelles vie for attention, along with a vast variety of entertainment events," according to a DSF spokesperson.
The Carpet Oasis, which showcases carpets from around the world, will be held at the Dubai World Trade Centre Hall No 1, from January 4 to 14.
"No one is attracted to a mall for a one in a million chance to win a car," Davidson told Gulf News. "But all these events add to the ambience of shopping."
"That and the fact that everyone and I mean everyone likes a real bargain." The Dubai Shopping Festival 2006 runs from January 4 to February 4. For further information visit the DSF website: www.mydsf.ae.
