MID3-5 feb13 10/2/09 11:39 Page 46
knowledge middle east
ttglive.com
Shopping
The Middle East is really
coming into its own
as a style destination.
April Hutchinson finds
out how fashion hotels and
a wealth of glitzy shopping
are upping the ante
W
hether it’s searching in a souk
for the perfect ornate Arabian
lamp, or luxuriating in a
private shopping experience
in an exclusive boutique, retail therapy is an
increasing attraction for the Middle East.
Designers putting their stamp on hotels,
such as Missoni in Kuwait and Armani in
Dubai, are also giving the region fashionable
credentials. And Dubai is leading the way for
shopping; forecasts predict the region’s retail
sector will exceed £250 billion by 2010.
Travel 2 assistant product manager Michael
Creighton sees the appeal: “Shopping
opportunities are fantastic in the Middle
East. Dubai is a shopping mecca with some
of the largest malls in the world, not to men-
tion souks offering traditional shopping
such as jewellery, spices, gold and crafts.
“It is cheaper than the UK for familiar
brands such as Gap and Zara. Other areas of
the Middle East such as Oman and Jordan
offer great shopping experiences too.”
Oman has many traditional souks offering
numerous local crafts, in Mutrah and Nizwa,
including some of the best-quality sterling
silver in the region.
Destinations such as Istanbul and Cairo
esidences are all predicted to attract a lot of interest
this year too, says Cox & Kings. And your
Armani R
clients’ spending money will go a lot further
in these destinations.
Istanbul’s Grand Bazaar is the biggest souk
Very hot
in the world, with nearly 4,000 stores selling
antiques, jewellery, gold and leatherware,
while Khan el-Khalili bazaar in Cairo sells
everything from Egyptian cotton to spices.
DUBAI.
The emirate is home to 50 shopping malls,
couture
including Mall of the Emirates, with its 450
shopping outlets and indoor ski slope, while
the Dubai Outlet Mall is perfect for clients
who want credit-crunch discount offers from
the likes of Calvin Klein and Guess.
Dubai out-did itself in November when
46 13.02.2009
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