The region’s biggest summer festival kicks off in Dubai tomorrow (June 19) with laser shows and a breathtaking dolphin show in co-operation with the Dubai Dolphinarium.

Dubai Summer Surprises 2008 promises 65 days of festivities and a refreshing change in entertainment symbolised by the ‘Tens of Surprises’ concept. Until August 22, Dubai will offer millions of visitors a combination of the region’s best in shopping, winning, and family entertainment.

“The start of a new era in DSS history begins today. A lot of work has gone into preparing this edition and we are sure that visitors will be able to feel the difference,” Dubai Shopping Festival Office (DSFO) CEO Laila Suhail said.

“The past achievements of DSS and the international reputation that the event has acquired cast a huge responsibility on the DSFO team. We aim to meet the aspirations of our visitors and raise the superiority bar of our summer event to the next level. DSS 2008 will further confirm our leadership in this industry regionally.”

DSFO general co-ordinator Ibrahim Saleh said: “The eleventh edition of the summer extravaganza promises to be the best ever as we expect an 8-10 per cent increase in visitors and 20-25pc increase in expenditure compared with last year.”

Shopping has been a key element of DSS from the start in 1998 and figures related to the retail industry during summer are usually used as success indicators of each DSS edition – the retail spending last year touched Dh 850 million ($231m).

While shopping brings its share of joys, DSS adds to it an exciting prospect of winning. Every week, shoppers stand the chance to win luxury cars and cash prizes running into hundreds of thousands of dollars.

There are three main raffle draws being organised for DSS 2008 – the Dubai Summer Surprises 2008 Grand Raffles, the Dubai Shopping Malls Group Mega Raffles, and the Dubai Gold and Jewellery Group Raffle Promotion.

The Grand Raffle is probably the easiest way to win a brand new BMW X5. On purchasing a raffle coupon of Dh 200, buyers stand the chance to win a BMW X5 and Dh 100,000 cash. Five draws are being organised.

Organised by the Dubai Shopping Malls Group, Mega Raffle entitles one shopper to win a massive cash prize of Dh 500,000 upon a minimum purchase of Dh 200. The winner is chosen through a draw held every week at a selected shopping mall.

The Dubai Gold and Jewellery Group is offering shoppers a chance to win daily prizes of Dh 10,000 and nine weekly bumper prizes of Dh 50,000 in gold and jewellery vouchers.

DSS 2008 has organised the Tens of Surprises where a new activity will be held every alternate day meaning visitors can expect a display of refreshing entertainment throughout the 65 days. – TradeArabia News Service