by The Dubai Shopping Festival is a festival that only keeps getting bigger and better with each passing year. The upcoming DSF also won’t be any different. There’s going to be so much new to do and discover that you are guaranteed to have a great time. Great offers, amazing shows, huge prizes, delicious food and more, DSF promises an unforgettable time. Here are some unknown facts about DSF that will make you want to experience even more.
Started Small
In 1996, The Dubai Shopping Festival began as trade event meant to encourage shopping and improve retail sales. The event saw decent crowds and garnered much coverage and appreciation in the media. The organisers realized the potential and decided to make the event much bigger.
Became Big
Today, DSF is not just a retail extravaganza; it is also a tourist attractions that draws in tourists in millions from around the world. Consistently, the crowds have only increased. Even when there was an economic slowdown, DSF saw huge crowds and huge spending. DSF 2016-17’s crowds even crossed the 6 million mark. Though actual figures could be more. The shopping festival goes on for a month and the whole city is in celebratory mode.
Was Cancelled Once
In the year 2006, DSF was cancelled after the sad passing away of U.A.E.’s ruler, Sheikh Maktoum bin Rashid Al Maktoum. The whole nation mourned him, and there were no celebrations anywhere in the country. Therefore, even DSF was not held that year.
But Made Up For It
Since it was cancelled in 2006, the next year’s DSF more than made up for it. How? By making it the longest yet. 2007’s Dubai Shopping Festival went on for more than a month – 45 days to be exact. The 2006’s DSF wasn’t considered cancelled, it was just postponed to the next year, and DSF 2007 was actually a double event that saw record numbers of shoppers and spending.
Place for World Records
When something this awesome is organised on such a huge scale, records will tumble. And that’s what happens at the DSF each year. So far, there have been close 50 records at DSF, and all of these records have been officially recognised by the Guinness Book of World Records. So, from the world’s longest and heaviest gold chain, to the world’s longest painting, DSF is the place where you will get to see a world record in action.
Being Replicated All Over the World
Many countries have now begun their own shopping festivals that are similar to the Dubai Shopping Festival. Though rarely do they manage to hold it on such a huge scale, still this is good sign for world economy. These shopping extravaganzas serve a dual purpose. They promotore retail that boosts economy, and they are beneficial to the shoppers as well as they get good products at reasonable prices. DSF has paved the way for such festivals, and has set the benchmark for others to aim for.
Raining Gold
One of the most popular items that is purchased during DSF is gold. Gold is considered important and auspicious in Middle Eastern, African and Asian cultures, and tourists from these continents make full use of the massive discounts on gold jewellery. Coupled with DSF’s discounts and no taxes on the gold, prices here are low. Plus, gold being an asset that increases in value, it just makes sense to buy it.
Promotes Peace and Equality
At the core of DSF is the slogan, ‘One World. One Family. One Festival.’ And they have left no stone unturned to make this true. People from all over the world come and shop together. There’s also an exchange of culture, and camaraderie. There are so many stories of people becoming friends and staying in touch even after the festival. There are stories of people helping each other, and teaching each other about their cultures. All this proves that we are all truly one ‘One World. One Family.’
So, get ready for DSF 2017-18, and be a part of something that is bringing the world together.
