In August of this year, 2008, Dubai will open what will be the world’s largest shopping centre or shopping mall. It will be called the ‘Dubai Mall’ and will be situated in the Downtown Burj Dubai, a major development for Dubai, which will itself soon be home to the world’s tallest building.

The statistics for the shopping centre are impressive. The mall will be more than 50 football pitches in area, receive over half the country’s shopping footfall, should increase the country’s shopping numbers by more than 30 million with over 1,200 stores, 120 food and drinks shops, an Olympic size ice skating rink and the world’s largest aquarium.

The Dubai Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM) UK and Ireland Director, Ian Scott said:

“Dubai has seen an incredible boom in its retail sector with many exciting and pioneering shopping developments being created to inspire visitors. Dubai’s world-class shopping malls and trailblazing projects such as the Dubai Mall showcase how people have come to expect the best from the emirate.”