With the 22nd edition of Dubai Summer Surprises (DSS) in full swing, organiser Dubai Festivals and Retail Establishment (DFRE) announced its partnership with leading retail groups to ensure the success of the region’s most popular shopping and entertainment event during the summer period.
Offering a six-week extravaganza of sales, city-wide experiences and events, DSS, brought to you by RAKBANK MasterCard, is a core festival of the innovative Retail Calendar that helps enhance the emirate’s position as a leading summer destination of choice for families from around the world.
Ahmed Al Khaja, CEO of DFRE, said: “Dubai Summer Surprises is one of the most eagerly-anticipated events in the Retail Calendar, and this year we have worked closely with our retail partners to develop a comprehensive programme of activities, city-wide events and promotions to attract visitors from around the world and provide the residents choosing to stay in the city during the summer months the best experience.
“Dubai offers unbeatable value for families travelling to the region and we, together with the support of industry leaders, are committed to creating a compelling offering for all audiences to drive increased consideration of Dubai as a summer vacation destination. We are incredibly grateful to our partners for their continued commitment, innovation and passion and look forward to welcoming visitors to enjoy a successful festival.”
DSS is brought to you by RAKBANK MasterCard and is supported by strategic partners which include: Emaar Malls (The Dubai Mall), Majid Al Futtaim Properties, AW Rostamani Group, Al Futtaim Group (Dubai Festival City), Nakheel Malls (Ibn Battuta Mall, Dragon Mart 1, Dragon Mart 2), Al Zarooni (Mercato), Dubai Duty Free, ENOC, Meeras and Etisalat.
Emirates Airlines
Sheikh Majid Al Mualla, Divisional Senior Vice President Commercial Operations Centre for Emirates Airline said: “Dubai Summer Surprises (DSS) transforms the Dubai summer months into an exciting period not just for avid shoppers, but for the entire family. Dubai is increasingly becoming an exciting getaway for summer, with its remarkable shopping destinations dotted across the city, cutting-edge landmarks and venues, and endless entertainment options. The city continues to lead the way as one of the most popular destinations for travelers across the globe. Emirates has been a key sponsor of DSS since its inception in 1998, and our commitment continues in supporting Dubai’s solid positioning as a world-class tourism and business destination.”
ENOC
His Excellency Saif Humaid Al Falasi, Group CEO, ENOC, said: “We are honoured to be part of the 22nd edition of Dubai Summer Surprises; an event that offers us an opportunity to reward our loyal customers for their continuous support throughout the years. During the course of DSS, we plan to offer visitors and residents of Dubai outstanding services and products that reiterate Dubai’s positioning as the best summer destination for all family members.”
RAKBANK
Frederic de Melker, Managing Director Personal Banking at RAKBANK, commented: “The UAE’s residents and visitors have been celebrating Dubai Summer Surprises (DSS) for over 20 years! This year, RAKBANK is excited to be an exclusive banking partner of Dubai Festivals and Retail Establishment (DFRE) for the Dubai Summer Surprises (DSS). RAKBANK Cardholders get a chance to win their spends back every day during the full DSS season. Combined with the great shopping discounts and privileges that DSS brings, our Cardholders will receive the best value.”
Dubai Duty Free
Colm McLoughlin, Executive Vice Chairman and CEO of Dubai Duty Free, said: “We are proud to continue as a Strategic Partner of this annual summer event which is usually accompanied with a lot of local expatriate travel through Dubai International and Al Maktoum International Airport who shop at Dubai Duty Free. We will see a great increase in passengers specially as the busy summer season picks up a notch and our aim is to sustain the momentum by selling to about half of the people passing the two airports.”
Emaar Malls
Patrick Bousquet–Chavanne, CEO of Emaar Malls commented: “The Dubai Summer Surprises is an exceptional event that further positions Dubai as a year-round tourist destination. Typically, the summer period sees a rise in travel activity in the region, and through such colourful, family-oriented initiatives, Dubai is not only offering a destination of choice for tourists from the region but also delighting residents with in-mall activations and retail promotions. The Dubai Mall is gearing up to present an exciting array of activities that will surprise and delight the whole family. As a strategic partner of DFRE, we will continue to support its goal to establish Dubai as the must-visit summer leisure destination.”
AW Rostamani Group
Michel Ayat, CEO of Arabian Automobiles, the flagship company of the AW Rostamani Group said: “Arabian Automobiles is proud to continue its strategic partnership with Dubai Summer Surprises, underlining its ongoing commitment to keep its customers happy, and support such celebrations that spread joy among Dubai residents and visitors alike during this major event, which aims to drive the tourism and retail sectors. Our support of the festival is part of dedicated efforts to achieve our wise leadership’s vision to make Dubai among the world’s top tourist destinations, as well as developing Dubai’s burgeoning retail sector. Arabian Automobiles strives to leverage all events to engage customers. This major event is an ideal platform to introduce them to our unbeatable offers, designed as per customer interests to exceed their expectations, through offering not only the best prices, but also service packages for a wide selection of stellar vehicles to ensure them peace of mind.”
Nakheel Malls (Ibn Battuta Mall, Dragon Mart 1, Dragon Mart 2)
Omar Khoory, Managing Director, Nakheel Malls, said: “We are delighted to welcome the 22nd edition of the Dubai Summer Surprises annual extravaganza to Ibn Battuta Mall, Dragon Mart and The Pointe at Palm Jumeirah. This festival continues to be one of the most eagerly-awaited retail events for residents and tourists, and plays a key role in solidifying Dubai’s position as a leading global shopping destination.
“As a strategic partner of Dubai Festivals & Retail Establishment, Nakheel Malls is committed to offering unparalleled experiences during the six-week event, with an amazing showcase of family entertainment activities, live shows, shopping offers and fabulous prizes.”
Majid Al Futtaim
Fuad Mansoor Sharaf, Managing Director for Majid Al Futtaim Properties, Shopping Malls (UAE, Bahrain & Oman) commented: “Dubai Summer Surprises is one of the most anticipated family shopping and entertainment festivals for residents and tourists in the emirate. It is an opportunity for families to spend time together, get involved in their favourite activities and find unbeatable offers on international brands. Every year, Majid Al Futtaim Shopping malls in Dubai aim to raise the bar and bring the unexpected to visitors with surprises, prizes, special offers and exclusive entertainment. Our packed agenda of activities will create memorable experiences and great moments for everyone this summer.”
Al Futtaim Group (Dubai Festival City)
Steven Cleaver, Director, Shopping Centres Dubai, Al-Futtaim Malls said: “Dubai Summer Surprises gets bigger every year and we are always keen to grow with it to deliver the best possible experience for our shoppers. This year is no exception as it will be our biggest yet with the launch of Kids Rock. With the festival falling during the summer months, it makes sense for us to provide indoor kids entertainment with the introduction of this new concept, the ultimate kids play fest that turns Dubai Festival City Mall into a playground for children, with non-stop entertainment for six weeks and popular characters like PJ Masks and Angry Birds. In addition, last year saw a 50 per cent increase in entries into our Spend & Win promotion so for 2019 we will be increasing prize incentives for customers with more weekly prizes along with the grand prize of a Lexus car. We look forward to welcoming Dubai residents and tourists alike for what is set to be a truly spectacular event.”
Mercato Mall
Ms. Nisreen Boustani, PR & Corporate Communications Manager of Mercato commented: “Mercato will play host to an array of amazing activities, events and deals to ensure a memorable experience during the six-week summer festival. Mall visitors will be able to enjoy a host of a great variety of international circus shows, roaming performances in addition to kid’s circus workshops where they will learn fun tricks and for the first time in the region; adults and kids can slide from our first floor into a goal for the ultimate adrenalin rush. For every AED 200 spent at Mercato or Town Centre Jumeirah during DSS shoppers will get the chance to win to win incredible prizes.
We look forward to a spectacular Dubai Summer Surprises in 2019, summer will be a joyful season in Dubai this year, with a fun-packed program planned for all family members.”
DSS runs from 21 June to 3 August 2019, offering an exciting six-week programme of events and activities featuring major retail-based festivals, new season launches, mega sales and exclusive retail experiences and attractions aimed at further enhancing the retail sector, a main contributor towards Dubai’s economy.
