DUBAI:
SHOPPING FESTIVAL CANCELLED FOR MOURNING
Dubai, 10 Jan. (AKI) - One
of the key trade and tourist events in the Gulf calendar, the Dubai
Shopping Festival, has been cancelled this year as a sign of respect
after the death of the emirate's leader Sheikh Maktoum al-Rashid
Maktoum. Festival coordinator Saeed al-Naboudah said all the activities
had been deferred to the next round, scheduled for 20 December,
2006. The multi-billion dollar shopping extravaganza, whose theme
this year was 'expect the world and get it' was due to kick off
on 4 January, the day the Sheikh died, during a visit to Australia.
"Certainly (the decision to cancel
the event) will have a major impact on business, but the loss of
Sheikh Maktoum is much greater" commented Eisa Adam Ebrahm,
general manager of the Burjuman Shopping Centre, among the largest
in the emirate.
After the sheikh's death, the festival
was suspended and a decision was to be taken later whether to proceed
or not.
The decision has huge financial implications.
Predictions for this year's month-long entertainment and shopping
extravaganza had estimated sales of some two billion dollars. The
previous festival generated 3.3 million visitors, who spent a total
of 1.8 billion dollars.
One of the prime Attractions this year
was to be the Mall of the Emirates, which now boasts a Ski Dome,
where one can experience real skiing and the surrounding St Moritz
like atmosphere, right in the middle of the desert. |