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Record visitor turnout during Eid marks Festival Centre as destination of choice for yearlong festivities

Dubai, November 22, 2010: Festival Centre , the award-winning shopping precinct of Dubai Festival City and a predictable choice for the discerning, attracted over 700,000 guests during Eid celebrations, once more reiterating its position as Dubai's yearlong hot favourite entertainment, shopping and dining destination.

While hardened sales shoppers bagged a bargain on everything from beauty products to fashion, electronics and household products leisure strollers, foodies and families settled for the incredibly varied dining experience and entertainment calendar which has become a hallmark of the globally-renowned Al-Futtaim property, third-time sponsor of the Eid in Dubai event.

Nearly 120,000 guests visited the Festival Centre on Tuesday alone - drawn by the fireworks display, musical shows, Emirates Youth Symphony Orchestra, retail stores' offerings and some of the world's finest culinary experiences. Shoppers also got a chance to win 1.4mn Dhs raffle prize, as part of Ediyat Dubai, a promotion organised by Dubai Events and Promotion Establishment.

"We are extremely pleased with this visitor turnout as it once again proves our exciting offerings continue to please our guests," said Tom Miles, Director-Shopping Centres, Al-Futtaim Group Real Estate. "To say this is our finest in terms of footfalls during one single week would not be too wrong, although I must add that a packed calendar of activities that spans from now to the National Day celebrations and up until the end of the year will certainly break a few records."

The exclusive Eid in Dubai entertainment and retail promotions were further bolstered by the ever popular regular weekend live shows on the Floating Stage, roaming acts and musicians, the Dino Live event and the house band keeping the tempo throbbing.

Also adding to festivities were the recently opened culinary offerings in the form of Burj Al Hamam and Karam Beirut, Lebanon's famous dining establishments, as also Esfahan (Beriani and Iranian food) and the combined store/restaurant Chocopologie. These were part of 14 outlets and restaurants opened during the last three months, occupying a total floor space of 23,497 sq ft.

"The strength of Dubai Festival City unique offering is our ability to adapt and add to the exceptional shopping, dining and leisure experiences. In addition to our 400 stores and nearly 90 restaurants and cafes, our newly launched Marina Pavilion has successfully combined the best of culinary delights and waterfront vistas to bring together the diverse cultures and nationalities residing or visiting Dubai.

"Little wonder then that we are piling up awards this year. After picking up the Five Star award at the Arabian Property Awards, we went on to win the Mall of the Year and Best Retail Destination of the Year awards at the Retail City event further raising the bar on excellence," Mr. Miles added.

Festival Centre 's calendar for the remainder of this month and December includes the sparkling UAE National Day celebrations, December's Festival Fireworks, On-air Al Arabiya Karaoke, Dance Performances by the Arthur Murray professionals, Suzanne Husseini's Live Cooking at the Promenade, Re-cycling Festivities, and Dubai schools' carol singing, among others.

"We've combined some fine events, gastronomical delights and retail offerings into one significant promotion to give our guests unique choices in the next two months. The party has just begun!" Mr. Miles added.

-Ends-

About Festival Centrehas recently added the Five Star award "Best Retail Development" at the Arabian Property Awards 2010, and two other prestigious Retail City awards - "Mall of the Year" and "Best Retail Destination of the Year".

Festival Centre is home to Dubai's premier concerts and festivals and has hosted world class entertainers such as Carlos Santana, Maroon 5, Tamer Hosni, Shah Rukh Khan and Kylie Minogue. It has also presented Dubai with a wide array of festivals from the Emirates Airlines International Festival of Literature through to Dubai Desert Rock and Dubai Bike Week. Festival Centre hosts events, parades, entertainers and musicians each week ensuring families are always engaged and rewarded for their visit. The award winning Festival Centre is a landmark 2.8 million sq ft urban retail resort which forms the epicentre of Dubai Festival City now acknowledged to be one of UAE's most exciting retail, dining and leisure attractions. Set on the historic Dubai Creek, Festival Centre , which celebrated its third anniversary in March 2010, offers over 450 world class retailers, 60 restaurants, cafés and bistros, 12-screens Grand Festival Cinemas and a parking for more than 10,000 cars. It also boasts a stunning Marina and some of the emirate's most photographed sunset vistas. Festival Centre has recently added the Five Star award "Best Retail Development" at the Arabian Property Awards 2010, and two other prestigious Retail City awards - "Mall of the Year" and "Best Retail Destination of the Year".

For more information, please contact:
Martina Boor
Marketing Manager
Festival Centre , Dubai Festival City
Dubai - United Arab Emirates
Tel +97144254907
Fax +971 4 2325667
P.O Box: 49776 Dubai, UAE
Email: Martina.Boor@festivalcentre.com
Web: www.festivalcentre.com

© Press Release 2010