Countdown begins for Dubai Shopping Festival

Dubai, 1 Jan, 06 (WAM) - More than three million shoppers are expected to descend on the Global Village for the Dubai Shopping Festival (DSF).

Starting January 4, the 11th festival is already creating a buzz across the city as hotels tourism firms have reported a barrage of bookings, according to a report in Gulf News.

The surge in interest is being credited to the success of the DSF road shows this year in India, the UK, Russia and the other GCC countries.

The 11-day whistle stop tour was headed by a DSF delegation including the Dubai Naturalisation and Residency Department and a number of representatives from Dubai hotels, travel agencies and rent-a-car companies.

But due to this influx of people, the number of vehicles on the roads is set to increase sharply.

"We have already formed a committee that would find a solution to the traffic problem by organising special lanes and diversions during the festival for a hassle free month," said Ebrahim Saleh, DSF chief operating officer.

The DSF road shows also urged the regional media in the GCC countries to participate in the category of DSF 2006 Journalism Award that offers attractive cash prizes.