To the uninitiated, the 15-minute trip to the Global Village from Shaikh Zayed Road is a bit like a prelude to a desert safari.
After taking the fourth Interchange exit on the Dubai-Abu Dhabi road, one goes through a row of warehouses in Al Quoz area.
Then the vast desert expanse and small farms come into view. At night, the street lights hide this pictureque view.
The new Global Village is a leisure city literally built in the middle of the desert.
But that's just where it's unique and the fun begins.
Situated next to the Dubai Autodrome and the stylish Arabian Ranches village, the new Global Village is more than twice the size of the previous one near Garhoud.
The new sprawling arena is where retail goods, carnival and international cultural masala mix and match.
"The Global Village is a microcosm of the world," said Ebrahim Abdul Rahim, the village's soft-spoken director.
New participants
Visitors to the Dh60-million facility will be treated to a wider variety of cultural treats.
In addition to the traditional participants, new national pavilions now include Australia, New Zeland, Japan and the UK.
The Global Village 2005 has moved to a new location Dubailand on the Emirates Road.
The venue, which was earlier planned as a 7.5-million-quare-feet project, will now cover an area of 17.2 million square feet.
Dubailand has ably recreated the magic of Global Village, complete with a water fountain at the centre and an auditorium that can sit about 6,000 people.
Dubailand itself aims to become the ultimate leisure, entertainment and tourism destination of the region.
Unlike the previous Dubai Shopping Festivals, the Global Village 2005 will take place from January 12th to March 31, 2005, or more than two-and-a-half months.
The concept 'Global Village' over the past decade has given Dubai a truly international character.
This year's Global Village plays host to over 46 countries and showcase products ranging from traditional household items to furniture, foodstuff, garments, antiques, jewellery, education and universities, handicrafts and gift items amongst many other products, throughout the extended period of 79 days.
The Global Village has seen great success since it was been launched in 1996.
In the following years, it has been established as a unique tourist destination sought by visitors from all over the world.
The Global Village will include will have a food court with more than 50 restaurants and four main cafs.
It will also have more than 75 kiosks for the retail sector.
A unique feature of the coming event will be the man-made lake with a total area of 4,000 square metre.
"Once again, Global Village is eagerly awaited. In its 10th anniversary, Global Village 2005 will be enjoyed on its grandest scale yet at its new location at Dubailand," said Rahim.
The in-depth planning and originality of the participating parties has contributed to the success of the Global Village. And this planning and creativity is evident in the Indian Pavilion, which adds to the attraction of the Global Village.
The ultimate leisure and tourism destination
- The Global Village 2005 has been moved to new, bigger location at the Dubailand on the Emirates Road.
- Covers an area of 17.2 million square feet.
- To host over 46 countries through their national pavilions open to an extended period of 79 days (from January 12th to March 31).
- Products to be showcased range from traditional household items to furniture, foodstuff, garments, antiques, jewellery, education and universities, handicrafts and gift items amongst many other products
- 50 buses to shuttle public from different points of Dubai to the Global Village (average fare is Dh2 (70)
- Global Village part of Dubailand, which aims to become leisure, entertainment and tourism destination of the region.
- Food court will have over 60 restaurants and 4 main cafs.
- It will also have more than 75 kiosks for the retail sector.
- Amphitheatre can sit 6, 000
- A man-made lake with a total area of 4,000 sqm.
Gulf News
