One of the most unique shopping experiences for visitors to the ongoing 20th anniversary edition of the Dubai Shopping Festival is a visit to one of the many traditional souks in the city. A visit to one of the souks enables visitors to step back in time to traditional ways of buying a huge array of products that have hardly changed for many years and offer a huge contrast to Dubais modern state-of-the-art shopping malls.

The authentic souk experience is one that continues to amaze tourists and also residents. The varieties of products offered at souks are endless and shoppers can find different clothes, shoes, accessories, textiles, home appliances, carpets, gold, toys, and furniture in both retail and wholesale.
Tourists and residents shared their opinions and experiences about shopping in traditional souks with DSF organisers Dubai Festivals and Retail Establishment (DFRE), an agency of the Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM).

Mohammad Al Khayari, an Omani tourist in Dubai said: I visit Dubai on a regular basis with my baby and wife but always love it especially during DSF. It is interesting how many Omanis I find here at Naif Market. My wife and I find it very convenient as all shops are next to each other and they offer what we are looking for. I bought our kid some toys, pajamas for winter and shoes. As for myself, I bought a new Ipad and IPhone 6 mobile covers while my wife bought nightwear for family occasions happening back home in Muscat. I love shopping at malls in Dubai during the Festival but I also wouldnt miss coming here and getting the complete shopping experience at different shopping outlets in Dubai.

Muhey Eddine Mustafa, a Sudanese tourist in Dubai who was shopping in traditional souks in and around Deira said: I frequently visit Dubai with my children and wife. We love the big fancy malls in Dubai and their offerings but we are also big fans of the old areas in Dubai that can offer something different during the Dubai Shopping Festival. Here at Naif, my wife finds everything she is looking for, from accessories, abayas, pajamas to textiles and household items in a very low cost.

Retailers are also finding a significant boost from the anniversary festival. Ashraf Karim who works at Al Qayoom for Ready Wear added: Our customers are from all around the world. During the Dubai Shopping Festival, we are witnessing a significant increase in the number of Omani and African tourists, but tourists from other nationalities also tend to shop here during all times of the year. We believe our prices are affordable by all tourists as t-shirts start from AED 30, pants from AED 35 and dresses from 30 AED.

Rajeetha Prakash, an Indian resident in Deira visits traditional souks for different reasons: the traditional souks in Dubai are the ultimate place for every kind of textile offerings, designs and usage. I bought a metre of orange lace for just AED 15! My daughters also bought some accessories at really good prices.
DSF Moroccan visitor Najwa Al Alawi said: It is my first visit to Dubai but my husband has been to Dubai before. I thought Dubai is just about towers and beaches but I was surprised when I first got to the traditional Souk of the city! It is authentic and rich in tradition and the offerings are just perfect for me and it really helps to add to the DSF experience.

DSF organisers, Dubai Festivals and Retail Establishment (DFRE) an agency of the Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM), have been delighted with the enormously positive perception that tourists and residents in Dubai have about traditional souks, as these shopping experiences will remain vital and extremely important to the Dubai Shopping Festival adding a unique flavour to the Journey of Celebrations experience for the 2015 edition.