DSF 2005 had 3.3million visitors with six per cent increase while spending crossed Dh6.67 billion mark registering a 15 per cent increase, says an independent study.

Ten long years and the popularity of the Dubai Shopping Festival has been rising sky high. The latest figures coming out of an independent study commissioned by the DSF office is a clear indication that the Dubai Shopping Festival, which is a brand icon in its own right, is truly a world-class event which is fast growing with every passing year. No wonder the DSF 2005 has registered a total visitor participation of a record 3.3 million people and an overall expenditure of 6.67 billion registering an increase of six per cent and 15 per cent respectively.

The study shows that the success of the stronger DSF this year has been mainly due to it being revamped as a family and entertainment experience rather than a purely shopping fiesta. Whilst shopping remained the main focal theme of DSF, this year the success of family experience complemented the shopping aspects with participants particularly impressed by the emphasis and variety of activities with universal appeal.

During DSF 2005, the total visitor number rose to 3.3 million, against DSF 2004 figures of 3.1 million, with an increase of 6.5 per cent. Residents' participation increased to 2.2 million, a record level, and international visitors to DSF increased to 1.1 million.