Festival Concept

From a historical perspective the population of this region had always been traders and entrepreneurs. Awesome architecture sprouting from the desert sands and warm seas cannot be undervalued, but if Dubai was to become a world class tourism destination which would entice visitors to return again and again something else would be needed. Maybe the trader culture and talent for being a gracious host would be the perfect vehicle to carry them into the future.

While it may be true that the festival may not be the perfect word for all events staged in Dubai through the year it seems to be used universally so the best thing to do is go with the flow. It does appear that the Desert Golf Classic has managed to maintained its identity but then it has a long history. I doubt that government officials sitting around a conference table all decided what events would take place but more like a number of entrepreneurs stepped forward and took the risk to build something. Most events started small and several struggled to begin with but after becoming established continue to grow bigger and better every year. Seldom is there a day when there is not some major event or events taking place.

At the top of the heap is the Dubai Shopping Festival which is a month long 'shop until you drop' happening. The city shopping centers are known worldwide for quality and selection and during this time there are contests, deep merchant discounts, fireworks shows and much more. This Shopping Festival is truly a first class and one of a kind event. Similar shopping holidays take place around the world but no one can bring it off like Dubai.

The Dubai International Film Festival is a not-for-profit event showcasing everything from documentaries to feature films from around the world. While this is not the high powered commercialized event like the Shopping Festival, it is a highly respected happening. This just goes to show the broad range of events which fit within the festival concept.

It is no small wonder that Dubai is becoming a center for business activity with a large number of conventions and meetings being held each year. These meetings are often timed to coincide with one or more festivals which gives the attendees an opportunity to relax and unwind between the business of business necessaries. The city has a reputation of being safe, entertaining and friendly. So much so, in fact that more and more international corporations are moving their headquarters there. It is quite likely that much of this activity would not take place without the festivals.