Dubai's Global Village is celebrating the 20th season of the Gulf region’s identity as a leading family destination for cultural shopping and entertainment through unique showcases at the GCC pavilions.

Running till April 9, these unique pavilions introduce the Gulf region’s range of products and aesthetics to guests, giving them the chance to learn about the UAE and surrounding countries, whether they are local residents or tourists. Each pavilion is filled with rare and unique products that will entice GCC nationals, as well as visitors to Dubai.

Ahmad Hussain bin Essa, CEO of Global Village,said: “It is a continued source of pride for Global Village to host so many of the GCC countries as pavilions during our 20th season. All of the pavilion organizers developed and executed some amazing ideas to create beautiful facades, as well as offer products, and experiences that local residents, regional visitors and guests from all over the world will enjoy.”
 
He added: “The GCC pavilions have always been some of the most attractive elements of Global Village. Part of our goal has been to provide a comprehensive cultural, leisure and artistic experience from around the world. The GCC is a unique area that people should be able to learn about when at Global Village and we are proud to see that the pavilions have grown over the past years in terms of the professional level of organization, the size of participating pavilions and the number of products and activities on display from individual countries.”

The UAE Pavilion: The UAE Pavilion, which showcases unique offerings from local exhibitors, extends over 3,100 sq ft. The pavilion offers guests the chance to experience traditional Emirati hospitality, and offers them a wide range of beautiful Arabic perfumes and incenses that have been developed locally.

The UAE pavilion hosts 120 various shops, around 45 per cent of which are managed by women. Guests can learn how these Emirati women make perfumes, in addition to weaving clothes and textiles, all together painting a traditional landscape that has attracted thousands of guests to Global Village.

The Pavilion is home to a heritage museum, an Emirati studio, as well as a theatre dedicated to traditional performances. Guests can also enjoy a number of local delicacies at the entrance to the pavilion.
 
Saudi Arabia’s Traditional Products: The Saudi Arabia Pavilion is quick to warmly welcome guests to Global Village and boasts deeply seated traditions. The diversity of the kingdom comes across through the pavilion’s products that speak volumes about the countries love of its history.

Guests can undertake an inspiring journey of tastes and colours by sampling some of the authentic Saudi products. The attractive façade is inspired by the main characteristics of life in the kingdom - combining the swaying trees on the Saudi flag, the colours of the deserts, beauty of its ships and inspired from the traditional merchant caravans.

Guests are welcomed with hospitable Saudi coffee and free traditional henna, passing by the renowned Saudi majlis where friends and family meet, and finally the traditional Saudi art group from the western region. Authentic Saudi products on display are diverse; include incense, perfumes, and relative products, in addition to Abayas and reputed Saudi embroidery.
 
Kuwait Pavilion’s Beautiful Market: The Kuwait pavilion’s market is inspired by the Mbarkia market and is reflected in the design of the shops. In the centre of the pavilion, the Kuwaiti Wadi band performs a lovely ambiance of traditional music from regional instruments.

The Kuwait Pavilion in Global Village is made up of 70 shops with high value offerings. The pavilion displays many authentic Kuwaiti products, including rich perfumes, clothes, Abayas with an Arabic and Gulf touch. The Pavilion is also well known for its perfumes, bright colours of Kuwait Abayas and dresses, delicious sweets, shiny silver and copper utensils and other elegant products.
 
The Bahrain Pavilion: The Bahrain Pavilion emphasises on the country’s simplicity and friendliness, while also exhibiting some of Bahrain’s varied and distinguished products. This pavilion has been a major draw in Global Village and includes 45 varied shops that attract many visitors. The façade is a reflection of the lighthouse that is so tightly linked to pearl diving in the kingdom, in addition to reflecting the designs of traditional Bahraini houses with their carved wooden facades.

The pavilion showcases a large number of Bahraini products like spices, clothes, accessories, honey and other products.
 
The Qatar Pavilion: The Qatar pavilion has a unique façade that stands out with its traditional pigeon tower design and other traditional forts, like Al Zubairi fort. At night, the tower shines covered in lights that cover its façade. The pavilion on the inside is a duplicate of Souq Waqif, one of the most famous Qatari markets, and the Qatar Pavilion is renowned for its excellent products, such as traditional Abayas, perfumes, and Burqu’  that cover 35 different shops.

This year at Global Village’s Qatar Pavilion the entire pavilion has been booked by exhibitors who have specifically come from Qatar to showcase their goods to guests, giving the Qatar Pavilion a brand new feel to it.

The GCC Pavilions are available for guests to visit throughout from 4 pm until 12 am on Saturday to Wednesday, with Global Village extending its working hours on Thursday and Friday to be open from 4 pm until 1 am. – TradeArabia News Service