Dubai’s festival industry an integral part of the economy

DUBAI - The UAE’s rapidly-growing festival industry has evolved exponentially to become a key component of the country’s economy, a top government official said.

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By Abdul Basit

Published: Tue 1 Jun 2010, 11:10 PM

Last updated: Mon 6 Apr 2015, 4:55 PM

Dubai became the pioneer in the region’s festival industry when it launched the first edition of the Dubai Shopping Festival, or DSF, in 1996 and the Dubai Summer Surprises in 1998. After fifteen years of existence, the DSF has become a brand that has had an impact on tourism and many other sectors in Dubai and UAE.

“Festivals and events in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah only complement each other to achieve the main objective in driving growth of UAE’s tourism industry,” said Shaikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, President of Dubai Civil Aviation Authority and Chairman of Dubai Airports, Emirates Group/Emirates airline and the Dubai Shopping Festival Supreme Committee.

DSF attracted over 40 million visitors and a consumer spending of Dh80 billion over 15 years, with prizes ranging from cars, gold, and cash prizes worth Dh1.5 billion being given away. Dubai Summer Surprises is not less significant and attracted 17 million visitors and a consumer spending of Dh22 billion over 12 years.

Shaikh Ahmed said these events are instrumental to UAE’s economy and provide the residents an opportunity to not only experience international festivals, but provide a platform for the exchange of cultures, something that UAE is known for.

Speaking to the Dubai Events and Promotions Establishment Media Centre, he said that Dubai’s festival industry had made the transition from being purely entertaining to becoming a key sector of the economy and that the sector had come of age by being on par with other industries in the UAE.

As the chairman of Emirates airline and Group, he also mentioned that Emirates would be a main sponsor of DSS this year, as it has been for the past 12 years.

This cooperation was in line with the vision of Emirates airline in promoting Dubai as a preferred global destination, he said.

abdulbasit@khaleejtimes.com

Abdul Basit

Published: Tue 1 Jun 2010, 11:10 PM

Last updated: Mon 6 Apr 2015, 4:55 PM

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