Tom Miles, Director of Shopping Centres, Al-Futtaim Group Real Estate said: “The Festival Centre has yet again managed to successfully offer very high standards of entertainment as well as retail offers to all our guests during the DSS this year. We are also happy to report that the surge of activity during the summer surprises has helped us achieve a 56% rise in footfall traffic during DSS, over the same period in 2008. This is a strong indication that Festival Centre at Dubai Festival City continues to top popularity charts and has become a destination of choice. Dubai Summer Surprises is a wonderful event and we are proud to have become its strong partner,” he added.

A combination of shopping promotions and family entertainment activities had ensured a steady stream of shoppers to the centre.

One of Festival Centre’s main attractions, House of Illusions, proved to be an instant success in the first week of its opening. Combining an atmosphere of fine dining, entertainment, and spectacular settings, the event has attracted full-house crowds since the first show. The Doll Festival, featured numerous dolls created by renowned doll artists from around the world and the Chocó Villa, designed to offer the whole family a tasty experienced whilst exploring every corner of a house dedicated to chocolate was also very well patronised.

Tom added that the award-winning Festival Centre has become successful because it has ensured a sustained, healthy balance between retail, restaurant and entertainment, resulting in a wonderful customer experience.

Dubai Festival City is also a member of the Dubai Shopping Malls Group and participated in the Surprising Millions campaign during DSS.