

rewarding shopping experience,
combined with winnings and
entertainment, under the theme
“20th Anniversary –A Journey of
Celebrations”.
This extraordinary concept that
dramatically transformed the retail
landscape of the region came into
the world with great fanfare and
hope and, more importantly,
offering the promise of
revitalising trade in Dubai.
As it turned out, the unique
initiative launched by the
Government of Dubai became
a roaring success. Indeed,
an event that was conceived
to boost local business
has now grown into the
longest-running festival of
its kind in the world and has
tremendously boosted the profile
of Dubai as a tourism destination
offering extraordinary and life-
changing experiences to visitors.
As a global attraction that attracts
on an average 4.4 million visitors
every year with a total spending of
AED 15 billion, Dubai Shopping
Festival is an important retail
season that makes a major
contribution towards the emirate’s
economy. In fact, DSF accounts
for between 25 to 30 percent of
annual sales of retailers in Dubai.
The ingredients for the success
of Dubai Shopping Festival
every year are a combination of
The festival is the
brainchild of
His
Highness, Sheikh
Mohammed bin
Rashid Al Maktoum,
Vice President & Prime
Minister of UAE and
Ruler of Dubai, based on
his vision to transform
Dubai into a modern
city, and a major trading
and shopping hub of the
region.
13
Jan/Feb 2015