Friday, Oct 05, 2012
Most city tours take in historical monuments, museums and centres of culture. But for many visitors to Dubai, there’s a different list of must-see sights -- and many of them are at the mall. Now, a Dubai-based tour agency has launched a guided tour of the city’s landmark shopping venues. Arabian Adventures came up with the idea for the Dubai Shopping Fantasy tour after noticing that many tourists are here to shop like there’s no tomorrow. And it’s nothing like that tour where the guide insists on taking you to “his cousin’s carpet shop”. Luc Delcomminette, vice president of Arabian Adventures, explained.
“On a regular basis, a group of AA’s team members get together to review all Arabian Adventures products on offer but also brainstorm on feedback, client’s requests as well as any new activities or new attractions in the country. Shopping is heavily promoted individually by most malls, however visitors are quite happy to hear that there is an escorted tour to take them to different places. The shopping tour with Arabian Adventures includes landmark malls but also includes shops that visitors may not have the opportunity to visit if not guided to visit these locations.”
The full-day tour (half-day is also available) visits a wholesale local souvenir warehouse, which stocks Arabian jewellery, carpets, clothing and homewares, the Miraj Islamic Art Centre, for local art and handicrafts, and then heads to the boutiques of The Walk for lunch and atmosphere. The tour ends at Dubai Mall.
The tour is part-guided so you can get on with the business of shopping, costing Dh195 for adults and Dh100 for children 2-12, and comes with a discount card.
“The response has been very positive, especially with the flexibility offered for a half-day extendable to a full day tour. We are expecting a good number of guests wanting to join the tour starting from the end of this month or next month when the main tourist season returns,” said Delcomminette.
Visit arabian-adventures.com for more details.
By Natalie Long tabloid! Editor
Gulf News 2012. All rights reserved.
