SRK to premier his world tour at Dubai shopping fest

Bollywood mega-star Shah Rukh Khan will kick off the world premier of his tour - "Access All Area" - with a performance at the ensuing 18th Dubai Shopping Festival 2013, starting next month, an official said here Monday.

Khan's special show is expected to be tentatively scheduled Jan 17 - midway during the DSF which commences Jan 3 and ends Feb 3, said Saeed Al Falasi, director, Strategic Alliances, Dubai Events & Promotions Establishments (DEPE).

This year, the DSF is being marketed as "Dubai At Its Best" and the month-long event promises to be the biggest ever in its history since 1996, bringing the best across its sectors for locals and visitors alike, Al Falasi told media-persons here Monday afternoon.

He assured people that DSF 2013 will surpass "all previous editions in style, size, turnover and grandeur" with the entire city decked up to welcome international shopaholics, prizes worth crores of rupees on offer and a spectacular itinerary of international events to keep all regaled and occupied.

The major highlights this year include the world's highest catwalk at 442 metres at the iconic Burj Khalifa, and the Omega Dubai Desert Classic, a PGA European Tour sanctioned event with a $2.50 million prize pool with big names like Tiger Woods in attendance.

Last year, DSF attracted nearly four million visitors who collectively splurged a whopping $413 million, making it one of the most happening and lucrative events in the international calendar.

"Ever since its launch, DSF has witnessed a growing number of visitors from India and this market has the potential to grow exponentially in the coming years. Indians comprise a vibrant part of United Arab Emirate's (UAE) society, constituting a significant segment of the total international crowds thronging DSF," Al Falasi pointed out.

Besides Shah Rukh Khan's concert, DSF 2013 will feature various mega-events like Layali Dubai, street carnivals, street and midnight fashion shows, sporting attractions and cultural events from different countries.

Besides the shopping and gift vouchers, there will be weekly draws for Infiniti, Ferrari and Nissan Patrol cars, gold prizes worth 15 kg of the precious metal and instant scratch-and-win worth up to Rs.2 million on purchase of pearls and watches at over 6,000 retail outlets in 70 malls.