Source: www.thehindubusinessline.com
The glitz and glitter of the Dubai Shopping Festival (DSF) has drawn more Indians this year to the annual shopping event. “The Dubai Shopping Festival has always been well received by Indians.
We usually witness approximately 80 per cent load factor on our 10 destinations from India – Dubai sector.
There has been a rise in inquiries for our DSF 2012 packages and are optimistic about their booking by the Indian travellers,” said Mr Sunil Kallyat, Regional Manager Western India, Emirates, without quantifying the growth in number of travellers from India to DSF.
Special airline package
For its Indian travellers, Emirates offer the special package starting at Rs 19,995 to Dubai.
The packages were available for booking till December 25, 2011 and valid for travel between January 5 and February 5, 2012, both days inclusive.
However, passengers keen to visit Dubai can do so at an airfare of Rs 15,810 out of Mumbai for booking until February 12. Jet Airways too received an overwhelming response for the festival. And this year, with the festival coinciding with the peak travel season till January 15, the number of arrivals from India to DSF is expected to be much higher. “The festival ends on February 5 so we will continue to offer guests these packages for another week to ten days,” said a Jet Airways spokesperson. This is the third consecutive year of Jet Airways offering special holiday packages for the DSF including hotel bookings.
According to travel agents, travel packages to the DSF have witnessed a massive increase in terms of sales.
“Indians travelling to Dubai for DSF has gone up by at least 25 per cent over last year,” said Mr Karan Anand, Head – Relationships & Supplier Management, Cox & Kings Ltd. Cox & Kings have introduced two special packages designed to allow travellers experience DSF and Dubai. Similarly, Ezeego1 is expecting a growth of 20-25 per cent for the DSF this year.
