Fact Sheets & Video - Dubai

Dubai is one of the seven sovereign sheikdoms that make up the United Arab Emirates and is today said to be the "Fastest growing city in the world".

A flashy, fun and slightly surreal city, renowned for its sand, sun and shopping, it was once a tranquil town of coral-and-gypsum courtyard houses. It was built by Persian traders and was crowded with palm-frond huts housing Bedouin fisherman and pearl divers. Today shiny new skyscrapers reflect the mosques and wind towers of Old Dubai.

Dubai is also officially the "Shopping Capital of the Middle East", its popularity mostly due to its tax free status and out-of-this-world Shopping malls.

The Dubai Shopping Festival is an annual shopping, entertainment and cultural extravaganza that shouldn't be missed. Usually held around January and February, at festival time there's even more bargains to be bagged and shopping fun to be had.

Imagine buying a pair of jeans and walking away with an $800,000 beach apartment! How about heading to the Gold shops to buy some jewellery in the 'City of Gold' and walking away with an 18ct gold mobile phone, or even a 1kg gold bar! Dubai Shopping Festival means giveaways, bargains, events, entertainment and mall to mall, wall to wall shopping excitement.

But visit Dubai at any time of year and you can be sure to find a shoppers paradise. The traditional souks continue to sell everything from spices, produce and traditional souvenirs to electronics, carpets and gold, gold, gold. Dubai is the fastest growing gold centre in the world, with 95% of tourists purchasing gold in Dubai.

Its many shopping malls including Mall of the Emirates, the largest shopping centre outside North America, house everything from top name department stores and designer boutiques to hotels and indoor ski fields!

So forget the half yearly Aussie sales and bag yourself a bargain, and maybe even a luxury car, at Dubai's annual Shopping Festival.

Further Information:

EMIRATES AIRLINES - Emirates fly return to Dubai from $2645 ex west coast and $2925 ex east coast

Call Emirates on 1300 303 777 or visit www.emirates.com.au. Prices correct at 4/4/07. Prices include taxes, subject to fluctuation. Conditions apply.

MADINAT JUMEIRAH - 1 night accommodation from $815 Mina A'Salam Suite, $840 Al Qasr Suite or $925 Dar Al Masyaf Suite. Visit www.madinatjumeirah.com. Prices correct at 2/6/07. Prices include taxes, subject to fluctuation. Conditions apply.

DUBAI SHOPPING FESTIVAL - An annual shopping, entertainment, and cultural extravaganza. Visit www.mydsf.com.

MALL OF THE EMIRATES - The world's first shopping resort & the largest shopping centre outside North America.

Expect great bargains, giveaways and entertainment during Dubai Shopping Festival! Viist www.malloftheemirates.com

DUBAI DUTY FREE - A shopper's Paradise in Dubai International Airport's Sheikh Rashid Terminal. Dubai Duty Free also offers regular prize draws for luxury cars and big money! Visit www.dubaidutyfree.com

DUBAI TOURISM- Call the Sydney office on (02) 9956 6620 or visit www.dubaitourism.ae