UAE-based Emirates Airline has launched a major on-board promotion during January and February as part of its backing for this year's Dubai Shopping Festival in March.
Each week in January and February, one lucky traveller on an Emirates service to Dubai chosen at random will win a prize holiday in the emirate for a family of four. The campaign will reach its climax with a draw for a grand prize at the end of the promotion. The nine prize holidays, once a week, include return economy flights, five nights' stay and breakfast in a sea-view room at Le Royal Meridien Beach Resort and Spa, transfers by chauffeur-driven car, an Arabian Adventures City tour, safari and meet & assist on arrival. Everyone who enters and even the nine winners, will be eligible for the grand prize also for two adults and two children. The grand prize includes return business class flights to Dubai from any Emirates destination, seven nights at Le Royal Meridien and a holiday credit of $5,000 towards the cost of any Emirates Holiday vacation package in its 2001-2 brochure as well as a city tour and safari, chauffeur transfers and meet & assist services. Entry forms will be available in every seat pocket from January 1 onward for travellers to fill in and hand over to crew or mail to the airline. Prizes may be taken between May 15 to September 15 subject to availability. The holiday credit is valid till March 31, 2003. Emirates has invited hundreds of travel agents and journalists to Dubai to highlight its holiday appeal. And it has created a special range of travel bargains to make it easier for shoppers to fly and buy as part of the worldwide drive to attract overseas visitors. Emirates is major sponsor of the DSF and its aircraft carry a DSF logo during the event apart from publicising the event the worldwide through its publicity outlets. As an extra incentive, the airline is offering an extra 10-kg baggage allowance for the customers who buy the hotel package. The DSF package offers a choice of 14 hotels approved by Emirates holidays from as little as $27 per person per night sharing. Rates are exclusive to Emirates passengers regardless of the travel class. The incentive runs through March 1-31 and the minimum stay is three nights. Meanwhile, Dubai's shopping malls are gearing up for hectic business activity during the DSF2002. Mall managers have already started fine-tuning shopping-linked promotions to capitalise on the visitors expected to descend on Dubai during the month-long festival. The Dubai Shopping Malls Group (DSMG), the body that promotes Dubai as a leading shopping destination through common strategies, is upbeat about the DSF. Eisa Adam Ibrahim, DSMG President, said : "Dubai malls have seen a gradual increase in business after the September 11 incidents, and there is high optimism among malls as DSF approaches. "I am confident that with the innovative spirit that Dubai malls have displayed in the past, they will do better than ever during DSF 2002."