One million Saudis coming to Dubai

Ibrahim Saleh, the Dubai Festival general coordinator, said organizers expect a record-breaking number of Saudis and expatriates from the Kingdom during this week. A similar event held during the Eid Al Fitr festival drew more than 800,000 visitors from Saudi Arabia, this time the number is expected to increase.

"Eid in Dubai" is a Dubai government initiative launched in 2008 by the Dubai Events and Promotions Establishment and is aimed at promoting Dubai as a festive destination during the Eid Al-Fitr and Eid Al-Adha holidays.

Traditional celebrations such as "Fuwallat Al-Eid," as well as fireworks, shopping mall and jewellery promotions, hotel packages and several international concerts contribute towards making "Eid in Dubai" a memorable time of the year.

One of the highlights of this year's celebrations is that shopping malls will be open for 24 hours on weekends during the two-week extravaganza.

Capt. Jassim Ahli from the Department of Naturalization and Residency in Dubai dispelled rumours that that the UAE had changed its entry visa regulations for Asian expatriates. "We will follow the prevailing regulations to give entry visas to expatriates living as residents in the GCC countries including the Kingdom.

Expatriates living in the GCC countries with certain job categories are given on arrival entry visas at the Dubai International Airport, he added.

Emirates, flydubai and nas air are all offering special rates from Riyadh to Dubai to encourage more travel from the Kingdom.