Dubai will play host to 'World Discovery Festival,' a unique spectacle of travel, leisure and holiday destinations, culture and cuisines, top-end lifestyle displays and an entertainment fiesta, to be held from November 3 to 5.

The event is being organised by the International Conferences & Exhibitions (IC&E) with the backing of the Government of Dubai and the Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing.

Announcing the launch on Tuesday, Anselm Godinho, managing director, IC&E, said: 'World Discovery Fest takes inspiration from the many cultures and nationalities that wonderfully co-exist in the UAE, while reinforcing the country's growing reputation as a haven for luxury, entertainment, tourism, shopping and culinary excellence.'

The discovery fest, he said, is unique in that it offers its audience lifestyle choices with a fusion of cultures, styles, tastes and entertainment and is intended to draw a large number of nationals and expatriates from around the region.

A series of activities, attractions and live demonstrations at World Discovery Fest are spread out across the four dedicated show segments: Travel & Leisure Zone, Entertainment Zone, Food & Beverage Zone, and Retail Therapy Zone, Godinho stated.

It will be held at The Meydan Grandstand, Dubai's newest hospitality and tourism venue, in November coinciding with the Eid holiday period, he added.

According to him, the Festival will offer a fresh outlook of various products, services and value-added offerings in a truly multicultural, relaxing and uniquely engaging atmosphere.

'World Discovery Festival is quite simply an exclusive exposition of all the good things in life, which is a true reflection of Dubai. The extravaganza is expected to attract a large number of visitors from across the region who regularly travel to Dubai during the Eid holidays,' Godinho remarked.

On the show highlights, Godinho said, 'A major attraction at the World Discovery Festival will be the widely anticipated Coffee & Tea Show, Dubai's first-ever event devoted to people who are passionate, enthusiastic and eager to learn more about coffee and tea.'

The event will be part of the Food & Beverage Zone and will be open to the public, providing an ideal networking and marketing platform for all key players in the coffee and tea trade.

The show will host the 3rd UAE Barista Championship, where the best professional baristas in the UAE will vie for the coveted title and the right to represent UAE at the 2012 World Barista Championship in Vienna, Austria.

The Food & Beverage Zone will also showcase presentations and exciting offerings from various specialty restaurants and cafes, said Godinho.

The Travel & Leisure Zone will feature competing airlines, cruise operators, tour operators, travel agencies, hotels & resorts, spas and national tourist promotion organisations, all showcasing a choice of hospitality offerings and leisure destinations across the world.

'The Entertainment Zone is a chilled-out environment of non-stop live music from some of the hottest regional and international talent and DJ fillers,' said the official.

'An amalgamation of sound, lights and visuals, the Entertainment Zone promises to be vibrant, spontaneous and extremely entertaining for all visitors of the Festival.'

The Retail Therapy Zone will be a shopping spectacle with a diverse collection of exclusive fashion, jewellery, beauty and other high-end lifestyle products.

Exhibitors range from regular retail booths to private retail suites for more exclusive products, providing a wide array of choices for shopping aficionados, he added.-TradeArabia News Service