Festival Centre, the retail precinct of Dubai Festival City was voted ‘Retail Destination of the Year’ during the Retail Middle East Awards presented in Dubai on April 27.

This is the third such award in four months for the popular shopping and entertainment destination.

Festival Centre won the award on the basis of its exceptional achievements, new initiatives and customer service that has made it one of the finest shopping destinations in the emirate.

“Given the current economic climate, this acknowledgement serves as a great motivator to us all,” said Tom Miles, Director – Shopping Centres, Al–Futtaim Group Real Estate. ldquo;We are delighted to have been recognised for providing a superb guest experience for our retailers and shoppers and will use this recognition to reinforce our commitment to our tenants and visitors.”

The Retail Middle East award comes close on the heels of Festival Centre winning at the 2009 Silver Maxi Award for marketing in Hollywood, USA last month. Earlier this year Dubai Shopping Festival had presented it the Best Innovation award. The DSF organising committee has also awarded Festival Centre the Best Interior Design – Shopping Centres award in 2008.

Festival Centre which celebrated its second anniversary in March this year, offers more than 400 stores, over 60 restaurants and cafés, a 12-screen cinema complex and parking for more than 10,000 cars and is the focal point for some of the finest community and entertainment events. The daily events and festivities at Festival Centre have redefined the epitome of shopping, dining and entertainment ensuring the guests and their families are always engaged and rewarded for their visit.

RetailME Awards, presented in association with RetailME magazine, recognise the top performing retail players in the Middle East and sets the benchmark for retail excellence in the region.