Global Village hits 2.2 million mark close to eight weeks after opening

• Global Village scores 9 on Guest Happiness Index this season
• Smart initiatives ensure highest level of guest satisfaction
• Attraction witnesses 17,700 followers on Twitter; 60,200 followers on Instagram and 130,500 likes on Facebook
• New and enhanced lineup of over 12,000 cultural and entertainment shows
• Emirati entrepreneurs benefit from special incentives for their business

Dubai, 11 Jan 2016: Global Village, the leading family cultural, shopping and entertainment destination in the region has attracted a phenomenal number of visitors to its 20^th anniversary edition – 2.2 million guests have visited the region’s premier outdoor tourism attraction between 3 November and 31 December 2015.

With an enhanced lineup of entertainment, shopping and dining to commemorate 20 successful years of operation, guests are entertained with a never-before seen lineup of exclusive live performances, spectacular new rides, authentic international cuisines and indigenous crafts and merchandise from its 32 worldwide pavilions.

It comes as no surprise that Global Village has scored a very high overall performance score of 9 on the Guests Happiness Index which ranks guest experience and satisfaction throughout the season.

Ahmad Hussain bin Essa, Chief Executive Officer of Global Village said: “The enhancements we have made to the Global Village infrastructure and offerings this season are having a hugely positive impact. We have already witnessed a staggering 2.2 million visitors since we opened our doors on the 3^rd November until the 31^st December and we expect that the number will get even bigger as the season continues for the next few months.”

“57% of guests visit Global Village for the entertainment and to meet this expectation, guest experience is very high on our agenda. Some of the key success factors that have enabled Global Village to become a leading cultural, entertainment and shopping destination are the clear strategy, price and value for money, guest experience, research and development, products and contents, investment and people.

“We remain strongly committed to our vision of delivering a world class cultural, shopping and entertainment destination that will transform the lives of people and contribute to their overall happiness, while firmly establishing Dubai as a leading tourism destination in the Middle East and the rest of the world.”

Global Village has introduced some exciting activities to enhance the customer experience this season, including the newly introduced trains that operate throughout the day - taking guests to and from the car park to the new iconic entrance ‘The Gate of The World’ for free. Each train has a capacity of 60 passengers.

Further, the new ‘Gate of The World’ is the largest gate in Global Village’s history featuring 40 turnstile entrances and 40 ticketing counters.

The ‘Main Cultural Stage’ has been enhanced to boost the audio and visual experience for guests. In addition, the expanded grass seating areas have created a much more relaxed and comfortable environment where an increasing number of families can enjoy picnics while they soak up the entertainment.

This season, Global Village has planned over 12,000 cultural and entertainment shows with an international concerts series. With over 25 international concerts, stage shows, street entertainment, Globo shows, fireworks displays and stunt shows for the first time in the MENA region, Global Village is firmly set to grow its repute as the most renowned entertainment destination in the region.

Additionally, the launch of several smart initiatives this year including self-ticketing machines which have sold over 60,000 tickets so far, online tickets - which had sales of over 15,000 so far and the Global Village Digital Raffle draw - which has had over 800,000 applications submitted through the website, the mobile app and the iPads installed across all the country pavilions to ease the process of participation, have greatly enhanced the experience for visitors from across the GCC and the wider MENA region.

To ensure that local Emirati talent is adequately supported, Global Village and Dubai SME have come together to promote the talents of young and innovative Emiratis, who are looking for opportunities to grow their businesses and engage with a broader client base across the UAE and the GCC. 

This year, Global Village is offering local entrepreneurs the chance to showcase innovative food concepts through a strategic partnership with Dubai SME. 

The partnership offers over 30 kiosks the chance to operate at Global Village for three months at a discounted rate of 50%. The objective is to create a platform for budding entrepreneurs and to encourage innovation in business.

Already, Global Village has 17,700 followers on Twitter; 60,200 followers on Instagram and 130,500 likes on Facebook and these numbers are expected to grow phenomenally as the season continues well into 2016.