Entertainment
Dubai Mall remains world’s most-visited destination
Dubai Mall remains world’s most-visited destination Staff Report / 30 January 2014 The Dubai Mall has become the world’s most-visited destination for the third consecutive year, welcoming over 75 million visitors in 2013. Following the impressive footfall of 54 million in 2011 and 65 million in 2012, Emaar Properties’ flagship shopping and entertainment destination recorded a 15 per cent growth in visitor numbers last year. An average monthly footfall stood firm at 6.25 million. “The record visitor arrival to The Dubai Mall in 2013 is a powerful statement that seals Dubai’s reputation globally as a business and leisure hub,” Abdulla Lahej, group chief executive officer of Emaar Properties, said in a statement to Khaleej Times . The mall’s 1,200 plus retail outlets recorded a 26 per cent rise in sales during 2013 compared to the previous year. According to Bain & Co recent report, more than 50 per cent of all luxury goods sold in Dubai were purchased at the mall, with its dedicated Fashion Avenue hosting the world’s largest collection of fashion brands under one roof. The number of visitors significantly surpassed the number of shoppers at the world’s other leading malls such as Mall of America and Bullring Birmingham, UK (40 million each); Intu Trafford Centre, UK (30 million); Part Dieu Lyon, France (29.4 million); and West Edmonton Mall, Canada (28 million). Lahej said the socio-economic impact of the mall on the Emirate’s economy is tremendous, having generated more than 25,000 jobs and consistently driving the growth of the city’s retail, leisure, and hospitality sectors — the core contributors to Dubai’s GDP. “Contributing significantly to Emaar’s recurring revenues, thus adding value to our stakeholders, the mall’s sustained success demonstrates the vision of His Highness Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, to create a truly world-class city,” he said Over 40 per cent of the visitors to the mall were tourists, reflecting the tourism demographic trends of the city, with a majority of the overseas visitors coming from Saudi Arabia and other GCC countries, China, India, Russia and Europe. Nasser Rafi, chief executive officer of Emaar Malls Group, said: “The surge in visitor arrivals and the growth in retail sales are indicators not just of the popularity of the mall but also of Dubai as a preferred destination for shopping and luxury lifestyle experiences. Having established Dubai as a global fashion capital, we are now further enhancing the fashion and lifestyle choices at the mall with the expansion of the Fashion Avenue by another one million square feet, which will add 150 new brands to the mall.” Last year, the mall cemented its position as one of the world’s most sought-after high fashion destinations by hosting Vogue Fashion Dubai Experience, the largest fashion event of its kind in the Middle East, in partnership with Vogue Italia. The mall is currently spearheading a global fashion talent scout, to identify and nurture emerging and next-generation fashion designers. — business@khaleejtimes.com For more news from Khaleej Times, follow us on Facebook at facebook.com/khaleejtimes , and on Twitter at @khaleejtimes Continue reading
Dubai airport sets record with 60 million annual passengers
Dubai airport sets record with 60 million annual passengers Abdul Basit / 30 January 2014 World’s second busiest international hub crosses 60m passengers mark for the first time. Last year was a record and historic year for Dubai International airport as the world’s second busiest international hub crossed 60 million mark for the first time following a record-breaking December with six million passengers, again first time. Annual passenger traffic of 66.4 million, up 15.2 per cent compared to 57.68 million recorded during 2012, represents the airport’s highest total ever thanks to network expansion and monthly passenger numbers which exceeded five million for 12 consecutive months, its operator Dubai Airports revealed in a statement on Wednesday. Dubai International has become renowned for breaking records and the 15 per cent rise in traffic in 2013 to over 66 million passengers comes as little surprise, according to a senior aviation analyst. “Despite regional difficulties, Dubai Airport is still pulling in business faster than any other airport in the world. This stunning growth led by stalwart Emirates and the worlds fastest growing low fares airline flydubai have been instrumental in capturing that growth,” Saj Ahmad, chief analyst at London-based StrategicAero Research, told Khaleej Times. Passenger numbers in December reached six million, an increase of 13.6 per cent compared to 5.32 million recorded during the same month in 2012. Dubai International continues to benefit from the efficiencies offered by the large number of wide-body jets that operate into it with the average number of passengers per aircraft movement rising to 198 in 2013, up 4.5 per cent from the 189 recorded in 2012. Aircraft movements in 2013 reached 369,953, up 7.5 per cent compared to 344,245 movements recorded during 2012. Aircraft movements in December totalled 32,832, compared to 30,945 movements during the same month in 2012, an increase of 6.1 per cent. During the year a total of 28 new passenger destinations were added thanks largely to the expanding networks of Dubai-based airlines flydubai and Emirates bringing the total passenger destinations served by Dubai International to 239. “It was truly a historic year for Dubai’s aviation sector highlighted by the successful opening of Concourse A, the world’s largest and only facility purpose built for the Airbus A380; and the launch of passenger services at Al Maktoum International at Dubai World Central. 2014 is set to be another eventful year, featuring continued traffic growth, network expansion and the ongoing enlargement and upgrade of our facilities and runways,” Dubai Airports chief executive officer Paul Griffiths said. Cargo volumes also reached record levels in 2013 with 2.4 million tonnes of air freight passing through Dubai International during 2013, up 6.8 per cent compared to 2.28 million tonnes recorded during 2012. — abdulbasit@khaleejtimes.com For more news from Khaleej Times, follow us on Facebook at facebook.com/khaleejtimes , and on Twitter at @khaleejtimes Continue reading
Cricket: UAE grabs 2015 World Cup berth
Cricket: UAE grabs 2015 World Cup berth (Reuters) / 30 January 2014 UAE beat Namibia by 36 runs to secure their second World Cup appearance. It will be their first since 1996. The United Arab Emirates booked their ticket for next year’s marquee 50-over tournament in Australia and New Zealand. On the final day of the Super Sixes in Rangiora, UAE beat Namibia by 36 runs to secure their second World Cup appearance. It will be their first since 1996. Having decided to bat first, none of the UAE batsmen could reach fifty but they still put up 263 before folding in the final over. Amjad Javed (3-35) was the pick of the UAE bowlers who first denied Namibia a flying start and claimed wickets at crucial times to restrict their opponents to 227 for nine. Scotland and UAE will now play the tournament final at Bert Sutcliffe Oval on Saturday. The winner of the contest will join England, Australia, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, New Zealand and Afghanistan in Group A while the loser will be clubbed in Group B alongwith South Africa, India, Pakistan, West Indies, Zimbabwe and Ireland. For more news from Khaleej Times, follow us on Facebook at facebook.com/khaleejtimes , and on Twitter at @khaleejtimes Continue reading
