Dubai was always well positioned to host and propagate festivals. Right from the turn of the 20th century Dubai had become sufficiently wealthy to attract immigrants from the rest of South East Asia. Extra facilities such as free trade had made Dubai a natural home to merchants from Lingah, which was a part of the Persian Coast. Similarly, a flourishing and dominant Indian population had become a major player in the Souk’s and Shopping Alley’s of Dubai which only added to its charm. Dubai was all set to take centre stage.

With time, a sense of hospitality grew in Dubai which was well complimented with a warm breeze of welcome and cool breeze of broadmindedness. These feelings grew stronger and thereby attracted more tourists than ever before.

At last, Dubai was ready to be Exhibit A.

February 15, 1996, the Tourism Industry of the UAE gave birth to a most impressive mega event which made headlines around the world. This event was the first Dubai Shopping Festival. The phrase ‘Shopping Paradise’ aquired a new meaning on this day.

We will try and define the Dubai Shopping Festival for you. Nations from around the world have tried to have a shopping event to entice foreigners, excite tourists and promote sales in their own regions. However, none could match the success of the Dubai Shopping Festival. Close to 4,000 retailers and shops participate in this month long event. Numerous hotels, restaurants and lodging services are a part of this event too. Dubai provides a brilliant shopping experience throughout the year. But during this month it’s always something a little more special. The Dubai and the Shopping Festival participants go wild to roll out the red carpet with massive discounts, daily prizes, the best in textiles, gold, handicrafts, branded goods, electronics, cars, perfumes, haute couture, handmade oriental and Persian carpets.

That’s definitely not all as most of the flights in and out of Dubai during this period carry enormous discounts and there are even discounts on excessive baggage allowances! The people in charge of the event had even gone to the extent of providing tourists with free Medical Attention Cards during this period. These cards can be used for free treatment and medication.

There is much more to add to the Dubai Shopping Festival experience. What good is a Festival in a desert when you can’t experience the thrill of being in a desert. The Dubai answer is a Mystical Desert Safari. There are numerous tour operators who give you the freedom to choose the time and the special areas of the safari you’d like to visit depending on your taste.

In addition to shopping and a desert safari the Festival also offers various sources of entertainment with most being hosted at public parks within Dubai. Some of the more popular events include the fireworks that fill the sky each night, the laser shows, international fashion shows and more. You will also find local entertainers and musicians performing at many of these venues.

Other activities during the month could include the likes of Sand-Surfing on the sand dunes, sky-diving from a height of about 10,000 ft, motor-cross biking. Desert trekking tours are loads of fun as well. Ever contemplated Sand-Surfing in the dunes, then driving out of the desert to Parasail over the coast and the beautiful beach? Or maybe you could just go sky-diving, get out of your parachute and into some scuba diving gear and encounter some dolphins or tropical fish, not to mention the coral reefs are some of the best under water sights in the world.

The Dubai Shopping Festival attracted more than 3.3 million people last year. It generated revenue in excess of 1.12 Billion USD.

So what are you waiting for, go ahead and get ready to visit the Dubai Shopping Festival this year.