The annual Dubai Summer Surprises (DSS) festival has returned for its 22nd edition with a plethora of events, activities and shopping deals for residents and visitors choosing to stay in the city during the summer months.

With the 22nd edition of Dubai Summer Surprises (DSS) in full swing, organiser Dubai Festivals and Retail Establishment (DFRE) announced its partnership with leading retail groups to ensure the success of the region’s most popular shopping and entertainment event during the summer period.

Offering a six-week extravaganza of sales, city-wide experiences and events, DSS, brought to you by RAKBANK MasterCard, is a core festival of the innovative Retail Calendar that helps enhance the emirate’s position as a leading summer destination of choice for families from around the world.

Ahmed Al Khaja, CEO of DFRE, said: “Dubai Summer Surprises is one of the most eagerly-anticipated events in the Retail Calendar, and this year we have worked closely with our retail partners to develop a comprehensive programme of activities, city-wide events and promotions to attract visitors from around the world and provide the residents choosing to stay in the city during the summer months the best experience.

“Dubai offers unbeatable value for families travelling to the region and we, together with the support of industry leaders, are committed to creating a compelling offering for all audiences to drive increased consideration of Dubai as a summer vacation destination. We are incredibly grateful to our partners for their continued commitment, innovation and passion and look forward to welcoming visitors to enjoy a successful festival.”

DSS is supported by strategic partners which include Emaar Malls (The Dubai Mall), Majid Al Futtaim Properties, AW Rostamani Group, Al Futtaim Group (Dubai Festival City), Nakheel Malls (Ibn Battuta Mall, Dragon Mart 1, Dragon Mart 2), Al Zarooni (Mercato), Dubai Duty Free, ENOC, Meeras and Etisalat.

Emirates Airlines
Sheikh Majid Al Mualla, divisional senior vice president Commercial Operations Centre for Emirates Airline, said: “Dubai Summer Surprises (DSS) transforms the Dubai summer months into an exciting period not just for avid shoppers, but for the entire family. Dubai is increasingly becoming an exciting getaway for summer, with its remarkable shopping destinations dotted across the city, cutting-edge landmarks and venues, and endless entertainment options. The city continues to lead the way as one of the most popular destinations for travellers across the globe.  Emirates has been a key sponsor of DSS since its inception in 1998, and our commitment continues in supporting Dubai’s solid positioning as a world-class tourism and business destination.”

ENOC
Saif Humaid Al Falasi, Group CEO, ENOC, said: “We are honoured to be part of the 22nd edition of Dubai Summer Surprises; an event that offers us an opportunity to reward our loyal customers for their continuous support throughout the years. During the course of DSS, we plan to offer visitors and residents of Dubai outstanding services and products that reiterate Dubai’s positioning as the best summer destination for all family members.”

Dubai Duty Free
Colm McLoughlin, executive vice chairman and CEO of Dubai Duty Free, said: “We are proud to continue as a strategic partner of this annual summer event which is usually accompanied with a lot of local expatriate travel through Dubai International and Al Maktoum International Airport who shop at Dubai Duty Free. We will see a great increase in passengers specially as the busy summer season picks up a notch and our aim is to sustain the momentum by selling to about half of the people passing the two airports.”

Emaar Malls
Patrick Bousquet–Chavanne, CEO of Emaar Malls commented: “The Dubai Summer Surprises is an exceptional event that further positions Dubai as a year-round tourist destination. Typically, the summer period sees a rise in travel activity in the region, and through such colourful, family-oriented initiatives, Dubai is not only offering a destination of choice for tourists from the region but also delighting residents with in-mall activations and retail promotions. The Dubai Mall is gearing up to present an exciting array of activities that will surprise and delight the whole family. As a strategic partner of DFRE, we will continue to support its goal to establish Dubai as the must-visit summer leisure destination.”

DSS runs from June 21 to August 3, offering an exciting six-week programme of events and activities featuring major retail-based festivals, new season launches, mega sales and exclusive retail experiences and attractions aimed at further enhancing the retail sector, a main contributor towards Dubai’s economy. - TradeArabia News Service