In pics: Dubai’s Global Village receives ‘record’ seven million visitors

Dubai’s Global Village recorded its “biggest-ever” season, receiving more than seven million visitors during its 166 days in operation, it revealed on Monday.

The figure marks an increase of 16 per cent over the previous season, a statement said.

The cultural destination, which closed on April 13 – after a one week extension – recorded over Dhs3bn worth of business transactions in its 23rd season.

It hosted more than 3,500 outlets showcasing cultures of 78 countries, with a combined staff of more than 10,000 partners and employees.

The venue also saw the biggest festivals, concerts, shows and events, games and activations in its history, while providing improved infrastructure – with additional parking spaces, new flat crossovers replacing the bridges, expanded multi-use walkways, new green spaces and increased seating areas.

In the last season, Global Village also hosted the “world’s first multi-cultural floating market”, bringing popular cuisine through 38 outlets from boats, bank-side kiosks, and tuk-tuks.

It also featured dancing fountains with light and sound shows on the largest underwater screen; a new ‘Wheel of World’ measuring 60m in height, with a 50-metre LED screen; an interactive kids’ theatre; the Super Loop stunt show, a full-scale stunt show featuring performances by more than 30 professional performers; the ‘Live our Heritage’ festival; a new Carnaval funfair; and a “Circus Circus” show.

Overall, Global Village hosted 24 concerts including performances by Jason Derulo, Jay Sean, Elissa, Miami Band, Majid Al Mohandis, Ankit Tiwari, Yara, Rahat Fateh Ali Khan, Shah Rukh Khan, Mohammed Mounir and Rabeh Saqer, among others.

The park also offered its widest ever range of street food, snacks, sweets and beverages, with 24 restaurants and cafes and more than 140 F&B kiosks.

Bader Anwahi, CEO of Global Village, said: “We continue to be the number one family, culture and entertainment destination in the UAE.

“Global Village has now become a permanent fixture in the itineraries of tourists that visit the region from far and wide.”