One of the main attractions for many visitors to Dubai, in addition to its beautiful beaches, is its tax free shopping. Not only does this emirate (part of the 7 which make up the United Arab Emirates) offer an amazing choice of gold and jewelry and low-priced electronic goods, but once a year it hosts a mammoth shopping festival, which brings international visitors fllooding to the UAE in search of a bargain.
Dubai Shopping Festival
According to the dedicated online site DSF Offer, the Dubai Shopping Festival (DSF) is usually held within the first quarter of the year. Although dates change annually the festival is timed to coincide with the U.A.E.’s peak tourist season — when there is a respite from the intense heat. During this time hotels are full to the brim with visitors both from neighboring Gulf countries and those regions further afield like Europe, Australasia and North America.
This is time when the traffic is at its worst (especially on Friday afternoon and evening) but the bargains are at their best. Shops slash their prices and during the month-long festival and there are daily competitions — prize draws and promotions, offering the chance to win a bar of gold a day, luxury cars and much more.
Shopping Festival Dates for 2009
The next Dubai Shopping Festival will run from January 15th to February 15th, 2009, with the The DSF Organizing Committee settling on the dates at its first meeting of the year on Thursday, November 20, 2008. This will be the 14th shopping festival, billed on the official site Mydsf.com as "One Family, One World, One Festival, the month-long event with the unique theme of bringing the world to one stage."
The Global Village in Dubai
An integral part of the DSF is The Global Village, located in Dubailand®, which houses pavillions from around 60 countries selling goods and food from all over the world. It "brings together diverse customs, cultures and entertainment shows, covering a broad spectrum of activities including music, goods, dances, arts and handicrafts, theatre, costumes, cuisine and food from different parts of the world.” says Abdul Redha Ali Bin Redha, Global Village Project Director, on the official Global Village website.
This year Dubai’s Global Village opens its doors earlier, on November 12, 2008 and will remain open for a total of 102 days. It closes on February 21st, 2009, just after the end of the Dubai Shopping Festival. In addition it has other attractions to offer its projected 5 million visitors, such as around 40 fun fair rides, Venetian gondalas, rowing boats and a World Culture Stage.
Modesh the Mascot
The mascot of Dubai Summer Surprises ( a smaller version on the festival held at the height of summer) and potentially the Dubai Shopping Festival is a cute little yellow cartoon character called Modesh. This is ever-smiling, ever-happy mascot is used to reflect the hospitality and traditions of the UAE and is full or enthusiasm, encouraging shoppers to have a positive outlook on life.
Shopping in Dubai
Dubai has more than 40 shopping malls, including the largest outside of North America, the Mall of the Emirates. Dubai is also known as the "City of Gold," and for good reason. Its world famous gold souks have a mind boggling array of jewelry, and other traditional Arabic souks sell the best in rich textiles, exotic spices, Arabic pottery and wooden furniture. Major shopping malls offer additional discounts and promotions during the shopping festival and include the Wafi Mall, Mall of the Emirates, Deira City Center, Bur Juman, IBN Battuta Mall and the newly opened huge Dubai Mall, situated near the world’s tallest tower, the Burj Dubai.
Read Shopping in Dubai and Sharjah for more recommendations on the best shopping venues.
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