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Global Village, the international attraction of the 2003 Dubai Shopping Festival,
attracted over 3.1 million visitors during the 32-day entertainment
and shopping extravaganza – a 36% increase on last year's turnout. And the final
visitor tally means the Dubai Festival City attraction pulled more visitors in a
month than the Tower of London – one of the world's most famous tourist
landmarks – gets in a year.
"In more ways than one we've had a record-breaking month," said Global
Village General Manager, Alan Gordon.
"Global Village this year was bigger than ever, had more pavilions,
restaurants, funfair rides and entertainment than in the past and this has
resulted in record-breaking attendance.
"It's amazing to think that in one month we, together with sterling support
from the DSF committee, have successfully hosted around 500,000 more
people than visit the Tower of London in a year."
At the close of the DSF, Global Village was voted the top attraction by 48.8% of
respondents in a media led poll.
"Records fell all the way," said Gordon. "We had a record 32 country
pavilions, a record 60 international restaurants, a 50% larger funfair, a 30%
larger car-park and improved access that all contributed to bring the crowds
to Global Village."
Whilst the Creekside spectacular proved a huge hit with residents and tourists
alike bringing record crowds to the 2003 event, Gordon says it has probably
reached its visitor potential.
"This year's turn out is probably the maximum we can safely accommodate in
a month," he said.
"We cannot get any bigger, the infrastucture is maximised due to the physical
location. We have the Creek on one side, Garhoud Bridge and Rebat Road on
the other side and the car-park is already one kilometre long.
"Next year, while we'll be looking to increase the number of countries
represented, we'll also be focussing our attention on raising the quality level
yet again."
Dates for DSF 2004 have yet to be announced but even before the close of this
year's event, the Global Village team started looking ahead.
"We're already planning to improve the Global Village layout for 2004 and have
already reviewed this year's event with our architects," said Gordon.
"We've gained valuable information from this year's Global Village and we'll be
looking very carefully at what worked, what didn't work and the ways to make
next year's event, better, brighter and more enjoyable for the millions of
visitors who come to experience this unique ‘window-on-the-world’."
Global Village 2003 was jointly produced and managed by DSF and the
Al-Futtaim Group, a key sponsor of the Dubai Shopping Festival 2003. Al Futtaim is the owner/developer of Dubai Festival City, the signature waterfront
project being developed on the banks of Dubai Creek. |
