The Dubai Shopping Festival, also called as Layali Dubai in Arabic was first created in February of 1996 by the Government of Dubai, an entirely big sale event whose goal is to promote further trading in the city. After that, it has become a yearly event of entertainment, shopping and cultural festival that continue to endorse tourism in Dubai and attract people from all over the world every year.

The Dubai Shopping Festival is just fundamentally a shopper’s paradise. The city is usually called a paradise throughout the year, but they really make everything special and extravagant during the shopping festival times. There are over 2 thousand retail outlets involving themselves, and offer everything you could imagine from perfumes, gold, electronics, cars, haute couture to handicrafts and textiles.

Dubai has achieved a stature with its clear vision, initiative, drive and innovation. The Shopping Festival was formed under the dedicated guidance of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Prime Minister and ruler of Dubai and Vice President of United Arab Emirates.

Shopping Malls

The United Arab Emirates malls and shopping centre are more than just for shopping; most are devised to cater entertainment and various food courts and restaurants.

The busiest places during the festival are the roads of Al Rigga, Al Satwa’s, Al Karama, Al Dhiyafah, Al Faheidi and the Beniyas Square. They are located all throughout the city and can be distinguished with the smell, sight and sounds of the traditional souks. It is normal to haggle in the shops and smart to ask the best price if you are using cash. There have been many new malls opening recently.

The Mall of the Emirates features Debenhams, Aspreys and Harvey Nicholls. Its indoor shops total area of over 200,000 square meters with an indoor skiing area.

The Downtown Dubai, still under construction, will have 351,000 square meters. The largest they believe will be the Mall of Arabia which will be placed within Dubai land. Being duty has worked for Dubai, because they do not have taxation and have little import duties, many major brand names are available and are less expensive in Dubai.

Souks

Street Markets or Souks are often called the heart of urban Arabia. Dubai has a very wide selection of Souks. Souk is Arabic for place or market, where any kinds of products are sold or traded. Usually goods from India, China and Ceylon and others in the Far East would drop their cargos and many of the souk in the area would make bargains for them.

Souk merchants have their certain goods and style in making business by passionate and often overdramatic haggling. There is one rule to always follow and remember at all times. When you haggle and finally agree on a price, you are obliged to buy the item. Walking away is a very big insult to the merchant.

Dubai Souks can be seen on both sides of the creek. There are narrow alleyways that sell various handicrafts, carpets and almost any spice imaginable. The gold souks are usually found in the larger lanes which are flowing with all kinds of gold and offer very low prices. They have a wide array of necklaces, earrings and bracelets displayed. In the Spice souk, you can find a collection of incense, piled sacks of food and perfumes waiting for you to haggle.

Near the souks is the antique market where you can find Arabian chests, Bedu Jewelry, coffee pots, daggers and many carvings at wonderful prices. You can go to Cosmos Lane if you want to purchase silk or textiles. The streets of Satwa have a beautiful selection of colourful fabrics. In Bur Dubai, Al Fahidi Street is full of electronic and electrical shops.

The Great Thing about Shopping Festivals

One of the largest benefits the event brings is in the tourism area. Travel agents, tour operators and hotels chip in to selling the event on a world wide scale. It would be safe to presume they would run at a peak level during the festival.

The Dubai Shopping Festival deliver its promise every year by staging the most exhilarating rustle and bustle for the entire family. It is encouraged from the theme One World, One Family, One Festival.

The signature trademark of the Dubai Shopping Festival is excitement, happiness, adventure, joy and universal brotherhood. The festival has become a tribute to the intrinsic strength and ambition of the United Arab Emirates people.

Multinational and local brands recognize their faith in the festival. Brands like Emirates Airlines, Pepsi and Visa became partners to the growth of the Dubai Shopping Festival. Many of the apartments and hotels also involve themselves by giving special offers during the period, even the world famous Burj Al Arab is involved. They all offer special discounts that many would be able to afford. There are also a variety of raffles with eye catching prizes available.

The Emirates Airlines also have discounted fares and give allowance needed with excess baggage during the event. Other than shopping, there are other events as well. Such as children’s events, nightly fireworks, street side performances, film festivals and international fashion shows and many others that reflect the city’s character.

The biggest event in the festival is the Dubai World Cup. This is the world’s richest horse race with a purse of 12 million dollars.

The 2008 Festival Feature

The 2008 Dubai Shopping Festival is ready to tackle over thousands of enthusiasts as Swami Ramdev conducts a three day yoga camp. The camp will be carried out at the Airport Expo Dubai. An estimated 8,000 people from all over the Middle East is to attend. The yoga class will be focusing on breathing techniques and postures like meditation and Pranayama. According to yoga, the human body has elements of air, water, fire, earth and space. Air is the most vital element because it is the force that gives the body life. Prana is when you are inhaling the air through breathing. Controlling this life force is taught in the Pranayama techniques. Swami Ramdev gives equal importance to meditation and states that we can achieve a higher state of consciousness using meditation and the techniques of Pranayama to free our minds negative thinking and impressions. The nervous system in this state releases hormones that help in reducing stress and situations like depression, heart disease, hypertension and any of these sorts.