The upcoming edition of Dubai Shopping Festival (DSF 2008) to be held from January 24 to February 2008 under the theme 'Fifth Season' promises non-stop family entertainment, shopping promotions and unbelievable prizes, the organisers said.

“The world will witness an unprecedented phenomenon in the form of a new season, so while the rest of the world will have four seasons, Dubai will have an exciting Fifth Season', Ibrahim Saleh, DSF's Chief Operating Officer, told a news conference at the Doha Sheraton.

A delegation from the Dubai Shopping Festival Office arrived here on Tuesday on the first leg of a region-wide road-show organised by the Dubai Department of Trade and Commerce Marketing (DTCM) to promote one of the world's leading events.

Saleh said that in its first year, DSF attracted 1.6 million visitors with a consumer spending of Dirhams 2.15bn (approximately $600m) and in the latest edition in 2006-2007 DSF attracted 3.5 million visitors who accounted for a spending of Dirhams 10.2bn (roughly $3bn).

The total number of visitors for the past twelve years has reached an impressive 28.35 million.

DSF 2006-2007 witnessed a 24 per cent increase in visitors from the GCC, hence, the region is viewed as a key market.

"Research has shown that GCC visitors from the region rate shopping as one of their favourite activities during DSF. Our aim during the road-show will be to highlight the endless options available for shoppers in Dubai," Saleh said.

Events for DSF 2008 will be as in previous editions classified into a group of events.

Signature event, for instance, will consist of the opening ceremony, Dubai Fashion, Food Festival, Dubai Carnivals, World Records, Fireworks Festival, Music Festival and the Closing Ceremony.

Saeed Khalifa Bin Sulaiman, Emirates' Area Manager, Qatar said the airline's special holiday packages during DSF will offer a range of prices and benefits to satisfy the needs of its customers in Qatar, especially families.

Customers can choose between three to five-star city and beach hotels in Dubai. With hotel prices starting from as little as $ 75 per person per night based on sharing twin basis on a three-night package, these packages allow guests to experience Arabian hospitality from the moment they arrive at Dubai International Airport with personalised meet-and-assist services, welcome packs and transfers to their hotels in chauffeur-driven cars.

Customers who book online will get an additional 10 per cent discount. At the end of their stay, when they leave the city, each visitor will receive an additional 10 kilos of free baggage allowance.

These packages are available to all Emirates' passengers regardless of class of travel. Prices include all accommodation-related taxes and service charges.