10 weekly surprises, new mascot for dubai summer surprises 2000

70-day summer promotion will offer discounted holiday packages from June 22, 2000 to August 31, 2000.


The Organising Committee of Dubai Summer Surprises (DSS) has unveiled ten ‘surprises’ of DSS 2000 which will be held from June 22 to August 31, and provided glimpses of some new elements of the 70-day summer promotion.

At a press conference recently held in Dubai Mr. Hussain Ali Lootah, Chief Executive Officer of DSS said: “Since its launch two year ago, Dubai Summer Surprises has succeeded in positioning Dubai as a year-round destination, making full use of the tourism and commerce infrastructure available in the emirate. To further enhance the appeal of the summer festival this year, we have lined up ten surprises under the themes of Food, Techno, Water, Ice, Flowers, Aviation, Heritage, Environment, Global and Back To School.”

The yearly festival is set again to give children and families a big chance to enjoy and educate themselves through cultural activities, sports, entertainment and fun activities. A new feature of DSS 2000 is the new mascot, Modhesh, a sunny-faced kid with a big, big-smile, an extension of the DSS slogan “Big Fun for Little Ones”.

“Modhesh has been designed to convey the warmth and hospitality of Dubai,” said Mr. Lootah.

“He also stands for the many surprises visitors to Dubai can expect during DSS. In due course, we are sure, Modhesh will become synonymous with DSS.”

Mr. Lootah said that Dubai Summer Surprises aims to attract a large number of overseas visitors, specially families, for a summer getaway with great value for money and prospects for fun.

“We are committed to rejuvenating the trade and tourism sectors during summer, drawing families to hotels, shopping malls, entertainment centres and other climate-controlled venues and offering them a fun-filled, cost-effective vacation,” Mr. Lootah said. “ Dubai hotels are busy working out discounted holiday packages to attract holidaymakers.”

Ten different Dubai public sector organisations are in charge of organising the various DSS 2000 ‘surprises’, including: Food Surprises organised by Dubai Tourism & Commerce Marketing (DTCM) from June 22 to 28; Techno Surprises from June 29 to July 5 by Dubai Police; Water Surprises from July 6 to 12 by DEWA; Ice Surprises from July 13 to 19 by Dubai Chamber of Commerce; Flower Surprises from July 20 to 26 by Dubai Municipality; Aviation Surprises from July 27 to Aug. 2 by Civil Aviation Dept; Heritage Surprises from August 3 to 9 by Dubai Ports & Customs; Enviro Surprises from August 10 to 16 by Department of Health & Medical Services; Global Surprises from August 17 to 23 by Dubai Ports Authority and Back 2 School from August 24 to 31 by Department of Economic Development.

DSS ’99 attracted 1.2 million visitors, including residents of neighbouring emirates and countries. The 19 participating shopping malls generated sales of US$ 262 million, against the previous year’s figure of US$ 231.5 million, a major achievement in only the second year of the annual summer event.

See the calendar of events HERE