June 1 – Festivals in Dubai have helped bring 57 million visitors with a total spending of Dh102 billion to the region in the last 15 years, it was learnt on Tuesday. The Dubai Shopping Festival (DSF) brought in 40 million visitors, with consumers spending Dh80 billion in the last 12 years. Prizes such as cars, gold and cash, all worth around AED 1.5 billion, were given away. Meanwhile, Dubai Summer Surprises (DSS) that was launched in 1998, brought in more than 17 million visitors that spent Dh22 billion over 12 years.
This month, the Dubai Events and Promotions Establishment (DEPE) is gearing up to launch the next DSS (June 17) that will bring in retail spending. “Festivals and events in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah only complement each other to achieve the main objective in driving the growth of the UAE’s tourism industry,” said Shaikh Ahmad Bin Saeed Al Maktoum, President of Dubai Civil Aviation, Chairman and Chief Executive of Emirates Airline and Group, and Chairman of the Dubai Shopping Festival Supreme Committee.
He added that these events hold significance for UAE’s economy and provide residents with an opportunity to not only experience international festivals, but provide a platform for the exchange of cultures, something that UAE is known for.
