HH Sheikh Ahmed Bin Saeed Al Maktoum introduces new surprises of Dubai Summer Surprises 2003

Dubai Summer Surprises 2003 will begin on 19th of June, 2003, unveiling some new surprises and completely reinvented themes to portray "Big Fun  For Little Ones'. The ten week long event will conclude on 29th of August 2003.

Introducing the event at a press conference, HH Sheikh Ahmed Bin Saeed Al Maktoum, President of the Department of Civil Aviation, Chairman of the Emirates Group and the Chairman of Dubai Summer Surprises Supreme Committee said, "The concept of innovation and development are the main criterions of success. Keeping this in mind, Dubai Summer Surprises has been completely reinvented in its elements as well as its execution, while still maintaining the essence of its theme 'Big Fun for Little Ones'. The completely developed themed surprises, some new and some old will offer not only entertainment, but knowledge and education as well."

Quoting HH General Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and UAE Defence Minister, HH Sheikh Ahmed said that the Government of Dubai is committed to supporting the tourism industry in achieving the highest standards of efficiency, trusting that the private sector would complement this role and would not spare any efforts in this direction.

HH explained that the primary objective of Dubai Summer Surprises was to make an extensive change to the economic activity in the emirate, by achieving and improving the levels of retail activity in the shopping malls.

"Today, five years later, Dubai, the pearl of the Gulf, has become an oasis that brings smiles on the faces of young children, and provides a fresh breeze to the visitors, in a season of bright sunshine." HH said.

"Based on several research studies, such tourism events make United Arab Emirates one of the fastest growing tourism economies in the world, providing to the world at large a role model worth emulating - an idol created due to the attributes of honesty, hard work, vision and team work, an inherent value system.

"Dubai is very proud to achieve these projects and undoubtedly the efforts of the private sector and the creativity and the skill provided by the UAE national has converted Dubai into a successful example of tourism led economy, proving yet again that Dubai and success mirror each other like twins."

In order to infuse a fresh perspective and additional vitality to the various themes, the organisational responsibility of handling has been redistributed amongst different government departments.

Dubai Summer Surprises will begin with Flower Surprises to be organised by Dubai Municipality. It will be followed by Cartoon Surprises to be organised by Dubai Ports, Customs and Free Zone Corporation, Colour Surprises by the Department of Health and Medical Services, Sweet Surprises by Department of  Tourism and Commerce Marketing, Knowledge Surprises by Dubai Electricity and Water Authority, Ice Surprises by Dubai Ports and Customs Authority.

Arts Surprises by Department of Naturalization and Residency, Heritage Surprises by Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Adventure Surprises by Dubai Police and Back to School Surprises by Department of Economic Development. These departments will closely work together with the Media Committee from the Department of Information, The Lands and Revenues Department, the Department of Civil Aviation and Dubai World Trade Centre.

In his concluding statement, HH Sheikh Ahmed said, "The Government of Dubai is used to development and innovation, and moreover the private sector has also proved its initiatives in this regard. The development that will be achieved by all your efforts will benefit every single person living in the United  Arab Emirates. We hope that every organisation in the private sector will work hand in hand with the government departments to create a very unique family tourism atmosphere within the city."

Mr. Saeed Mohammed Al Nabouda, Chief Executive Officer, Dubai Summer Surprises said, "The Dubai Summer Surprises Organising Committee has already started conceptualising and selecting the individual events which will constitute each themed surprise."

Mr. Mohammed Al Fardan, Head of the Flower Surprises Committee from Dubai Municipality said "We have been organising Flower Surprises since the start of the DSS, and it is in our core area of expertise. The themed surprise will start DSS off by welcoming the crowds. The week would be about exploring the world of flowers and introducing the public and in particular the children to the wonders of nature as a whole."

Ms. Deema Hussain, Head of Cartoon Surprises from Dubai Port Authority in Ports, Customs and Free Zone Corporation introduced the themed surprise which would begin on the 26th of June. She said, "Cartoon surprise is about bringing cartoon characters to life. This week will be all about fun, laughter and imagination."

Mr. Salah Al Qassim, Head of the Colour Surprises Committee from the Department of Health and Medical Services introduced the third themed week which will he held from the 3rd to the 9th of July. The objective behind the Colour Surprises is to get children to explore their world through colors.

"Kids and their parents, after experiencing this surprise, would be able to see everything around them in a whole new colorful way. This would literally be a festival of colors," said Mr. Al Qassim.

Mr. Marwan Bin Beyat, Head of the Sweet Surprises from the Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing said, "Everyone loves sweets, from kids to adults from Asians to Arabs Sweet Surprises which will start from the 10th to the 16th of July is all about satisfying the sweet tooth in all of us!"

Ms. Laila Hareb, Head of the Knowledge Surprises Committee, Dubai Electricity and Water Authority said, "Knowledge surprise, as the name suggests is about learning and discovery. Kids would be taken through a journey of knowledge in which they would discover about History, Technology, Culture etc. The aim is to learn while having fun."

Mr. Salah Al Naqi, the Head of Ice Surprises from Dubai Ports and Customs Authority said that the sixth week of Dubai Summer Surprises would be about giving the public a break from the hot summer by giving them a peek into the beautiful winters.

Major Jassem Abdul Ghafoor, Head of the Art Surprises Committee from the Department of Naturalisation and Residency explained that unlike last year, the theme would not just be focussed on drawing and painting, but would integrate elements of performing arts - theatre and movies and musical arts as well. He said, "This surprise is about giving the public a break from the hot summer by giving them a peak of winter."

Ms. Noha Saffar, Head of the Heritage Surprises, the eighth themed week said, "The Dubai Chamber of Commerce which has been given the new responsibility of handling the Heritage Surprises would incorporate, events, shows and exhibits from all cultures in the Gulf and not just the UAE."

Major Mohammed Ghanim Bin Deylan, the Head of the Adventure Surprises from Dubai Police said, "The ninth themed week which begins on the 14th of August is aimed at getting the whole family to do exciting things together. Whether its desert adventures, water adventures or sea adventures, each event is going to be fun filled and action packed."

Mr. Foad Sharaf, the Head of the Back to School Surprises from the Department of Economic Development said, "The final surprise of DSS, the Back to School Surprise is all fun and learning put together and getting kids back in the mood to go back to school."