Emirates gears up for Dubai Shopping Festival 2006

Come January 4 to February 4, 2006, the 11th Dubai Shopping Festival is set to dazzle shopaholics and holiday-makers alike. Boasting many of the world's best brands at attractive prices, the DSF offers shoppers and travellers a mind-boggling array of fashion brands, perfumes, gold, jewellery, electronics, cosmetics, traditional handicrafts and more, at unbelievably good bargains.

Since its inauguration in 1996, the DSF has grown phenomenally to become one of the world's biggest shopping events. Attracting about 3.3 million visitors in 2005 alone, this year's DSF promises even better shopping bargains, non-stop fun and exciting entertainment. Themed ''One World, One Family, One Festival'', the entire city will come alive with an exhilarating carnival atmosphere, with plenty of entertainment and exciting activities for the whole family. There is something for everyone, be it exhibitions, plays, concerts, bazaars, street performances, fashion shows or sports events.

The DSF is also home to the world's biggest gold raffle and the world's richest luxury car raffle. Each day, one winner will walk away with a luxury car while one kilogramme of gold bars will be raffled off every day.

In celebration of the annual shopping fiesta, Emirates, the official airline of the Dubai Shopping Festival, is launching a DSF travel package, designed to appeal to a wide range of travellers.

In addition to special two-to-go fares, Emirates' DSF special will also offer hotel packages starting from as little as US$56.00 per person per night (twin sharing, minimum of three nights).

Stephen Chu, Emirates' Area Manager for Singapore and Brunei, said, ''The Dubai Shopping Festival is an event that should definitely not be missed. We hope passengers can take advantage of our attractive travel packages and visit this delightful event, which has become an icon of our home base, Dubai.''

Offering exceptional value for money, Emirates' DSF package includes daily breakfasts, chauffeur-driven transfers between Dubai International Airport and the hotel, as well as personalized meet-and-assist upon arrival. These DSF 2006 packages are available to all Emirates passengers, regardless of the class of travel.

Worried about having to pay for excess baggage after a mega shopping spree? Emirates is also offering an additional 10kg free baggage allowance on all return or onward flights from Dubai, for passengers travelling on its DSF package.

Some recommended 'must-buys' at the Dubai Shopping Festival:

- Arabic perfumes (attar). They tend to be strong and spicy, and there is no better place to get them than at the Perfume Souk near the city centre.
- Incense, which comes in the form of powder, crystal, rock or wood. Frankincense is probably the most common type of incense and readily available at the Perfume Souk.
- Arabic spices. Choose from cloves, cardamom, cinnamon, dried fruit and nuts at the Spice Souk. 
- Gold trinkets - earrings, rings, necklaces, bracelets and pendants, in numerous shades of gold and innumerable designs, and more importantly, at extremely reasonable prices at the Gold Souk.
- Carpets and rugs. Dubai is one of the best places to purchase Persian rugs, Turkish kilims, as well as Turkoman, Kashmiri and Afghan rugs.
- Dates. Before you leave Dubai, don't forget to grab a basket of dates from Dubai International Airport. These succulent dates, stuffed with a crunchy almond, make a most delightful snack and a wonderful gift for those who haven't had the chance to visit Dubai.
- Other souvenirs. Coffee pots, wooden or stuffed camels, and even sheeshas (glass water pipes) make excellent mementos for loved ones and friends.

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