(MENAFN- Emirates News Agency (WAM)) The first two weeks of the 20th anniversary of Dubai Shopping Festival, DSF, has led to a boom in business across key economic sectors including retail, aviation and hospitality, and given a major boost to ancillary services like money exchange houses and travel agencies.
Preliminary economic indicators show that shopping malls have witnessed an increase in footfall and sales at their retail outlets, as visitors from around the world have been taking advantage of discounts up to 75 % on a wide range of merchandise from electronics to home appliances, computers to perfumes, cosmetics and fashion.
The milestone 20th edition of DSF will continue until 1st February under the theme "20th Anniversary € A Journey of Celebrations" offering unique shopping experiences through over 150 events and activities that are being held across the city.
DSF is organized by the Dubai Festivals and Retail Establishment (DFRE), an agency of the Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM).
Helal Saeed Almarri, Director-General, DTCM, said, "The successful first two weeks of the Dubai Shopping Festival 20th anniversary has given Dubai's retailers a confident start for 2015 and also highlights the emirate's position as a leading family tourism destination. The upsurge in economic activity during DSF is also testament to the retail sector's contribution to Dubai's economy and the Dubai government's strategy of using festivals and events to support tourism growth, as envisaged in Dubai's Tourism Vision 2020." Commenting on the performance of various sectors in the first half of DSF, Laila Mohammed Suhail, CEO of DFRE, said, "Our responsibility as organisers of Dubai Shopping Festival has increased manifold given that the festival has now become the longest running festival of its kind in the world and a much-awaited annual global attraction. Today, as we celebrate its milestone 20th anniversary edition, we are delighted at the impact that the festival has made in its first two weeks, and this strong performance reaffirms the continued trust reposed in the festival by our partners, supporters and residents and visitors from around the world." Ahmad Hussain, Chief Operating Officer, Global Village, said, "The Dubai Shopping Festival period is an important period for Global Village in terms of visitor numbers and this was apparent within the first two days of DSF itself when we welcomed 200,000 visitors. Over the years, Dubai Shopping Festival has attracted a lot of families from other countries to our entertainment and shopping destination, and with each year the footfall grows larger. The Carpet and Art Oasis has attracted more than 6,000 visitors and recorded over AED34 million in sales in the first two weeks. Also, more than 1,000 handmade carpets were sold during this period," he concluded.
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