• Home

Families Uncertain About Spending

DUBAI - Despite the raffle draws, discounts, and the various attractions that are lined up for DSF 2009, families in the UAE are careful about their spending habits because of the current financial crisis.

Khaleej Times spoke to a few families in the UAE asking them what they were looking forward to this DSF.

Syeed bin Mahhfooz Al Kindi is a Yemeni expatriate residing in Ajman.

“I have attended all the Dubai Shopping Festivals right from the time it began. The biggest attractions for my family is the Global Village, the fire works, the raffle draws and the entertainment programmes,” he said.

“The women go shopping, we men buy the raffle coupons and the kids are generally attracted to the rides,” he added.

“Generally, I take my family for the DSF at least three to four times. But this time I would think a lot more before spending money at the shopping outlets because we are in the real estate business and things are not so rosy at the moment. So spending a lot over shopping is out of the question,” said Saeed.

Sarah Dayal, an Indian expatriate residing in Dubai, said, “There is a credit crunch and on one side we do talk about the crunch but at the same time the businesses are growing.

“There are no gains without any risks. I visit malls but what is most attractive about the DSF is that the city looks really beautiful and a lot of families bring in their relatives during this time, which subsequently boosts tourism in the country.”

Hala Saqqun, a resident of Dubai said the thing to look forward to most is buying clothes and furniture during the DSF.

During these difficult times her family would think twice before spending any money, she added.

• UAE