Being held in cooperation with Emirates Airline, Bahrain was an important stop in a regional road show that will cover the GCC and India. While the DEPE delegation showcased the highlights of the 2011 edition, Emirates airline promoted its special DSF 2012 packages for Dubai.
Ibrahim Saleh, Festivals Coordinator General and Deputy CEO of DEPE, explained that the regional road show stopped in Bahrain due to its position as an important source of Dubai’s tourism, with more than 75,000 Bahrainis visiting Dubai in 2010 representing an approximate 7% of all GCC tourists in the city for that year. “The 2010 figure demonstrated an increase of 13% on the previous year, and we have witnessed a considerable increase in 2011 as well.”
He stressed that DEPE would market and promote the 17th shopping and entertainment extravaganza to media organizations, travel agents, and tour operators, familiarizing them with the attractions of DSF which is held annually, this year under the slogan ‘Dubai at its Best’.
“More than 6000 retail outlets and around 70 shopping malls will take part in DSF 2012, offering a host of discounts and sale prices of up to 75% on a wide range of goods and services. The 32- day event will additionally feature more than 150 events taking place across the emirate,” he added.
“We are pleased to invite people from across Bahrain to visit Dubai during the Dubai Shopping Festival to take advantage of the many activities and attractive shopping deals offered during this month-long event. Traveling from Manamah to Dubai with Emirates is easy as we operate 3 daily flights so customers have a wide choice of convenient flight timings,” Reema Al Marzooqi, Emirates’ Bahrain Manager, said.
“DSF is much more than just a festival – it attracts thousands of visitors to shop and explore Dubai’s many fantastic attractions – and Emirates will be playing its part by bringing in travellers from across our network of 116 destinations,” Al Marzooqi added.
“DSF 2012 will offer a wide range of activities, including draws for a chance to win an Infiniti QX56 and AED 100,000 every day during the festival, the Nissan Mega Raffle, and also a dream opportunity to win a total of 19 kilograms of gold during 32 days. The 2012 show will witness exclusive events, kicking off with a world class DSF launch ceremony, entertaining activities across main streets, souks and bazaars. Children will love DSF and everything it stands for, with interactive shows, colourful kiosks, and hundreds of street performers and jugglers in a massive carnival during weekends,” Saleh, added.