Elaborate arrangements are being made in Dubai to welcome over 1 million visitors from the Kingdom during the Eid Al-Adha holidays.
Ibrahim Saleh, Dubai Festival general coordinator, said organizers expect record-breaking numbers of Saudis and expatriates from the Kingdom this season.
Saleh was addressing newsmen at the Four Seasons Hotel yesterday during the launch of “Eid in Dubai” program in the Kingdom.
He said the United Arab Emirates had a similar four-day program during the last Ramadan festival. “The event drew more than 800,000 visitors from the Kingdom,” he said.
“Eid in Dubai” is a Dubai government initiative launched in 2008 by the Dubai Events and Promotions Establishment and aimed at promoting Dubai as a festive destination during the Eid Al-Fitr and Eid Al-Adha celebrations. In addition, it is meant to attract families in the GCC through organizing and embracing various entertainment events that are held during Eid and highlight Dubai’s unique manner of celebrating this special occasion.
"'Eid in Dubai’ emphasizes the fact that the diverse social and cultural fabric of Dubai is as significant as its dynamic economic growth.
“The cosmopolitan city hosts more than 200 nationalities that coexist in exceptional harmony and despite different orientations and cultural backgrounds, residents and visitors in Dubai come together to share joyous moments during different festivities hosted all year round. ‘Eid in Dubai’ is another valuable addition that will enhance the spirit of the city,” Saleh said.
Traditional celebrations such as “Fuwallat Al-Eid,” as well as splendid fireworks, shopping malls and jewelry promotions, hotel packages and several international concerts contribute toward making "Eid in Dubai" a memorable time of the year, he added.
One of the highlights of this year’s celebrations is that shopping malls will be open for 24 hours on weekends during the two-week extravaganza.
Capt. Jassim Ahli from the Department of Naturalization and Residency in Dubai dispelled rumors that that his country had changed its entry visa regulations for Asian expatriates. “We will follow the prevailing regulations to give entry visas to expatriates living as residents in the GCC countries including the Kingdom.
Expatriates living in the GCC countries with certain job categories are given on arrival entry visas at the Dubai International Airport, he noted.
Saeed Al-Janahi, Emirates’ district manager in Riyadh, said: “Emirates has 17 weekly flights to Dubai. Emirates also flies to three other points in Saudi Arabia, once daily to Dammam and Al Madinah, and 19 weekly flights to Jeddah with the airline’s flagship Airbus A380.”
1 million Saudis to celebrate Eid in Dubai
