News
Dubai allocates $19m for summer shopping fest
Posted on 05/18/09
Trade Arabia
Dubai allocates $19m for summer shopping fest
Monday, May 18th, 2009
The Dubai Shopping Festival Office has set a Dh70 million ($19.05 million) budget for the upcoming Dubai Summer Surprises (DSS) 2009, the region’s largest summer and shopping entertainment event.
The DSS will go on for 65 days, starting from June 11 till August 14 under the slogan ‘Surprising Dubai’.
Dubai Shopping Festival Office on Monday announced 13 key sponsors for the event. These include leading local and regional business houses some of whom have partnered with the summer event since its inception in 1998.
This year’s patrons for the summer event are Coca Cola ME, Al Futtaim Group – Dubai Festival City, Al Ghurair City, BurJuman, Emaar Malls Group, Dubai Duty Free, Wafi, Dubai Shopping Malls Group, Dubai World Trade Centre, Emarat, Emirates Airline, MAF Shopping Malls, and MasterCard Worldwide.
Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, chairman, Dubai Airports; chairman and chief executive, Emirates Airline and Group, and chairman of DSF Office Supreme Committee, hailed the patrons of the DSS twelfth edition.
'Sponsoring an event in the magnitude of DSS in a volatile global economic climate is an indication of the healthy and robust stance that the private sector enjoys in Dubai.
He said that “many of these leading companies have been supporting DSS since its inception and it just goes to show the relentless commitment of the private sector towards supporting Dubai’s Government initiatives, thus enhancing a unique alliance that has been a key factor of the DSS success story.”
'To support DSS is to support Dubai’s endeavor to maintain its regional leadership and position as a premier hub for business and leisure, and with the support of the private sector we will achieve our aim despite any challenges that we might face.'
'Having 13 sponsors is a loud vote of confidence for Dubai Summer Surprises and its pivotal role in accelerating Dubai’s economy during the summer.'
“It’s a known fact that DSS has managed to become the most awaited summer event in the region. Tourists from around the region consider it as a great holiday destination that offers them all the attractions that they look for; retailers consider it a high season for their sales and shoppers look forward to its promotions and winning schemes. Clearly, it’s an event that caters for everyone,” Sheikh Ahmed remarked.
Laila Suhail, chief executive officer of DSF Office, thanked the sponsors for their commitment and unwavering support in these challenging times.
'We see their support as not just for DSS but for the whole of Dubai as a destination and an affirmation that development is an ongoing process in this vibrant city. It also reflects the cooperation and trust that the Government of Dubai and private sector entities share,' she noted.
“The twelfth edition of DSS is a continuation of the past successes of the event and our strategy at the DSF Office will focus on aiding tourism and entertainment projects in achieving a high level of sustainable development as envisaged in the ‘Dubai 2015’ plan.
DSS 2009 will witness new inclusions focused on providing the ideal summer vacation for families,” said Laila.
Laila also pointed out the new retail initiative being organized by the DSF Office that will run across four specific periods including Dubai Summer Surprises, Back-to-School season, Ramadan, and Eid Al Fitr.
The four-month long promotion has been designed to benefit both retailers and consumers by organizing value added promotions and offers, she added.