These days, Global Village is known as a family-friendly centre where UAE residents and tourists can shop, eat and be entertained all in one place.
But when it first opened in 1997, things looked a bit different. It was a modest collection of kiosks along Dubai Creek, built around a simple idea: to give people a taste of different cultures through food, handicrafts and small performances.
Over time, the concept has grown into something much bigger. It has since shifted from its temporary spot on the Creek to larger venues, eventually finding a permanent home near Exit 37 on Sheikh Zayed Road.
Nearly three decades later, Global Village has become one of the UAE’s most popular attractions. With more than 3,500 shopping outlets and 250 dining options representing 90 cultures in the past season, it now draws millions of visitors each year.
The new season, which will open on October 15, marks the attraction's 30th anniversary. In honour of that milestone, here are 30 facts to celebrate three decades of Global Village.
1. Global Village welcomed its first visitors during the Dubai Shopping Festival on October 4, 1997.
2. In its early years, pavilions were set up in tent-like structures.
3. The attraction was also in the Oud Metha Area near Wafi City before finally settling in its permanent location in 2005.
4. Each season introduces new pavilions or attractions, meaning new experiences for repeat visitors.
5. Pavilion designs often incorporate recognisable global landmarks, such as the Leaning Tower of Pisa or the Egyptian pyramids.
6. The park is organised into regions representing Mena, Asia, Europe, Africa, the Americas and South Asia.
7. Seasonal programming ensures that attractions and line-ups change each year.
8. Global Village has set several Guinness World Records, including the world’s largest cup of tea and the largest lantern display.
9. The venue features more than 3,500 retail outlets in one location.
10. Shoppers can find handmade goods such as carpets, ceramics and jewellery.
11. There are more than 250 food outlets, covering a wide variety of cuisines.
12. The Mini World zone displays 25 miniature landmarks, including the Eiffel Tower and Burj Khalifa.
13. About 40,000 live performances are staged each season, ranging from music to theatre.
14. Global Village has expanded its food options to include floating markets and themed dining areas.
15. Global Village schedules fireworks displays twice a week throughout the season.
16. Ticket prices start at about Dh25, making it one of Dubai’s more affordable entertainment venues.
17. Entry is free for children under 3, senior citizens and people of determination.
18. Across its history, Global Village has welcomed more than 100 million visitors.
19. Visitors have access to free shuttle trains and buses from the parking areas to the main gates.
20. Global Village regularly features international performers, such as Jason Derulo, Zara Larsson, Amr Diab and Bollywood singers Atif Aslam and Fawad Khan. Film stars also regularly make appearances to interact with fans.
21. More than 90 cultures are represented in pavilions each year.
22. In some seasons, the park has drawn more than nine million visitors.
23. Entertainment has included stunt shows, musicals and street performances.
24. Global Village celebrated its silver jubilee season in 2020.
25. The park’s seasonal format runs from mid-October to early May, aligned with Dubai’s cooler months.
26. In 2023, it was named the most popular attraction in the UAE by British market research company YouGov.
27. Roaming performers and parades are part of the daily entertainment schedule.
28. Facilities are designed to be wheelchair-accessible, with ramps and adapted toilets available.
29. The venue is consistently listed among the most-visited seasonal attractions worldwide.
30. For the 30th anniversary, management has announced special programming and celebrations.
French business
France has organised a delegation of leading businesses to travel to Syria. The group was led by French shipping giant CMA CGM, which struck a 30-year contract in May with the Syrian government to develop and run Latakia port. Also present were water and waste management company Suez, defence multinational Thales, and Ellipse Group, which is currently looking into rehabilitating Syrian hospitals.
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The five pillars of Islam
1. Fasting
2. Prayer
3. Hajj
4. Shahada
5. Zakat
The specs: 2019 Mini Cooper
Price, base: Dh141,740 (three-door) / Dh165,900 (five-door)
Engine: 1.5-litre four-cylinder (Cooper) / 2.0-litre four-cylinder (Cooper S)
Power: 136hp @ 4,500rpm (Cooper) / 192hp @ 5,000rpm (Cooper S)
Torque: 220Nm @ 1,480rpm (Cooper) / 280Nm @ 1,350rpm (Cooper S)
Transmission: Seven-speed automatic
Fuel consumption, combined: 4.8L to 5.4L / 100km
How The Debt Panel's advice helped readers in 2019
December 11: 'My husband died, so what happens to the Dh240,000 he owes in the UAE?'
JL, a housewife from India, wrote to us about her husband, who died earlier this month. He left behind an outstanding loan of Dh240,000 and she was hoping to pay it off with an insurance policy he had taken out. She also wanted to recover some of her husband’s end-of-service liabilities to help support her and her son.
“I have no words to thank you for helping me out,” she wrote to The Debt Panel after receiving the panellists' comments. “The advice has given me an idea of the present status of the loan and how to take it up further. I will draft a letter and send it to the email ID on the bank’s website along with the death certificate. I hope and pray to find a way out of this.”
November 26: ‘I owe Dh100,000 because my employer has not paid me for a year’
SL, a financial services employee from India, left the UAE in June after quitting his job because his employer had not paid him since November 2018. He owes Dh103,800 on four debts and was told by the panellists he may be able to use the insolvency law to solve his issue.
SL thanked the panellists for their efforts. "Indeed, I have some clarity on the consequence of the case and the next steps to take regarding my situation," he says. "Hopefully, I will be able to provide a positive testimony soon."
October 15: 'I lost my job and left the UAE owing Dh71,000. Can I return?'
MS, an energy sector employee from South Africa, left the UAE in August after losing his Dh12,000 job. He was struggling to meet the repayments while securing a new position in the UAE and feared he would be detained if he returned. He has now secured a new job and will return to the Emirates this month.
“The insolvency law is indeed a relief to hear,” he says. "I will not apply for insolvency at this stage. I have been able to pay something towards my loan and credit card. As it stands, I only have a one-month deficit, which I will be able to recover by the end of December."
match info
Union Berlin 0
Bayern Munich 1 (Lewandowski 40' pen, Pavard 80')
Man of the Match: Benjamin Pavard (Bayern Munich)
EA Sports FC 26
Publisher: EA Sports
Consoles: PC, PlayStation 4/5, Xbox Series X/S
Rating: 3/5
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Timeline
1947
Ferrari’s road-car company is formed and its first badged car, the 125 S, rolls off the assembly line
1962
250 GTO is unveiled
1969
Fiat becomes a Ferrari shareholder, acquiring 50 per cent of the company
1972
The Fiorano circuit, Ferrari’s racetrack for development and testing, opens
1976
First automatic Ferrari, the 400 Automatic, is made
1987
F40 launched
1988
Enzo Ferrari dies; Fiat expands its stake in the company to 90 per cent
2002
The Enzo model is announced
2010
Ferrari World opens in Abu Dhabi
2011
First four-wheel drive Ferrari, the FF, is unveiled
2013
LaFerrari, the first Ferrari hybrid, arrives
2014
Fiat Chrysler announces the split of Ferrari from the parent company
2015
Ferrari launches on Wall Street
2017
812 Superfast unveiled; Ferrari celebrates its 70th anniversary
THE SPECS
Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
Transmission: seven-speed dual clutch
Power: 710bhp
Torque: 770Nm
Speed: 0-100km/h 2.9 seconds
Top Speed: 340km/h
Price: Dh1,000,885
On sale: now
The biog
First Job: Abu Dhabi Department of Petroleum in 1974
Current role: Chairperson of Al Maskari Holding since 2008
Career high: Regularly cited on Forbes list of 100 most powerful Arab Businesswomen
Achievement: Helped establish Al Maskari Medical Centre in 1969 in Abu Dhabi’s Western Region
Future plan: Will now concentrate on her charitable work
The specs
Engine: 3.0-litre six-cylinder turbo
Power: 398hp from 5,250rpm
Torque: 580Nm at 1,900-4,800rpm
Transmission: Eight-speed auto
Fuel economy, combined: 6.5L/100km
On sale: December
Price: From Dh330,000 (estimate)
The 12 breakaway clubs
England
Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester City, Manchester United, Tottenham Hotspur
Italy
AC Milan, Inter Milan, Juventus
Spain
Atletico Madrid, Barcelona, Real Madrid
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Xpanceo
Started: 2018
Founders: Roman Axelrod, Valentyn Volkov
Based: Dubai, UAE
Industry: Smart contact lenses, augmented/virtual reality
Funding: $40 million
Investor: Opportunity Venture (Asia)
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Formula One top 10 drivers' standings after Japan
1. Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes 306
2. Sebastian Vettel, Ferrari 247
3. Valtteri Bottas, Mercedes 234
4. Daniel Ricciardo, Red Bull 192
5. Kimi Raikkonen, Ferrari 148
6. Max Verstappen, Red Bull 111
7. Sergio Perez, Force India 82
8. Esteban Ocon, Force India 65
9. Carlos Sainz Jr, Toro Rosso 48
10. Nico Hulkenberg, Renault 34
Read more about the coronavirus
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
Pad Man
Dir: R Balki
Starring: Akshay Kumar, Sonam Kapoor, Radhika Apte
Three-and-a-half stars
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Kumulus Water
Started: 2021
Founders: Iheb Triki and Mohamed Ali Abid
Based: Tunisia
Sector: Water technology
Number of staff: 22
Investment raised: $4 million
