Global Village collaborating with the GDRFA Dubai to boost visa processes for Season 25 investors and exhibitors

Global Village, the UAE and wider region's leading multicultural family destination for culture, shopping, and entertainment, is collaborating with the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs – Dubai (GDRFA-Dubai) to facilitate visa processing for its exhibitors and partners ahead of the Season 25 launch. The partnership forms part of the ongoing preparations ahead of the historic Silver Jubilee anniversary in support of the leadership’s vision to rebuild the emirate’s entertainment scene following recent events.                                                                                                    

Global Village will ensure the upcoming season is a success through a comprehensive strategy that ensures smooth operations and secure services. GDRFA-Dubai is working closely with the Global Village Partnership Happiness Centre team to clear the way for the arrival of international partners and their teams. Furthermore, the cooperation strengthens Global Village’s partner ecosystem and complement the government’s efforts to revitalise Dubai’s economic sector. 

The parties have enjoyed a productive partnership for many years, and a meeting recently took place between Global Village and GDRFA-Dubai representatives as part of the Season 25 build-up. The best practices required to deliver this milestone season were discussed, and it was agreed that partners would have ease of process through the Global Village’s Partner Happiness Centre. GDRFA-Dubai employees are lending their expertise to assist with the overall applications process and help attract foreign businesses to Global Village and strengthen the Dubai economy. These activities come as the UAE returns to everyday life, with all elements in place to guarantee exhibitors, employees, partners and stakeholders operate in an environment with the highest standards of health and safety.

Ali AlSuwaidi, Chief Operating Officer at Global Village, said: "Here at Global Village, we are committed to enabling and assisting our partners from around the world and welcoming them to Dubai with true Emirati hospitality. These same principles inspire us to build bridges of cooperation, drive cultural diversity, and provide opportunities for foreign investors to enter the UAE market and discover the many business opportunities here. We are pleased to work alongside the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs, which will help us to facilitate the procedures for obtaining visas so our partners and their teams from all continents can participate in Season 25 and celebrate the Silver Jubilee anniversary with us. Now that Dubai is re-open for business, we are proud to contribute to the efforts being made to attract the eyes of the world once again.  This collaboration demonstrates the importance of the solidarity and support of the government authorities which is so key to our success every season."

Lieutenant Colonel Jassim Ahli, Deputy Assistant Manager of Customers Happiness Centres & Global Village team Leader at The General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs – Dubai, added: "At GDRFA-Dubai, we are always keen to utilise our resources to support leading tourist destinations in the emirate. Our cooperation helps to promote Dubai's economy and contribute to the success of this unprecedented season for Global Village. Enhancing this vital sector at every available opportunity aligns with the leadership's vision, and easing visa and residency processes will enable investors to run their businesses with continued success. Our long-term strategic partnership with Global Village should play a big part in boosting the local tourism sector."

All travellers to the UAE must present a negative COVID-19 PCR test result within 48 hours before their departure, in line with the government’s health and safety policy. Everybody must also undergo another test at Dubai Airport when they arrive, without the need to follow quarantine procedures should the result be negative. In the event a test result is positive, the person to whom it applies must remain in quarantine for 14 days before they can resume their work. Visa applications for Global Village participants can be submitted through the Global Village Partner Happiness Centre, which provides an easy-to-use online portal where partners can apply for all their business requirements.

Global Village is gearing up for the launch of its Silver Jubilee anniversary on the 25th of October 2020. The family destination is setting up for another great season for its guests while maintaining the highest safety standards. Global Village has already been awarded the Dubai Assured Stamp by Dubai Municipality, Dubai Economy and Dubai Tourism (DTCM) in light of the stringent preparations for opening.

The Family Destination has become renowned for bringing the world to Dubai, providing the perfect platform to support the wider business community and for helping aspiring entrepreneurs bring their ideas to life. With the support of GDRFA-Dubai, the arrival of partners and their teams will boost Dubai’s re-emerging business environment, contribute to the emirate’s economic recovery, and help make Season 25 an exceptional one. 

Firmly established as the preferred family culture and entertainment destination in the Middle East, Global Village delivers innovative shopping and entertainment concepts that promotes cooperation and friendship between people and cultures from around the world. In Season 24, Global Village was home to 27 pavilions that represented 78 different countries and cultures, with 45 per cent of the workforce coming from abroad. The number of people working at Global Village exceeds 10,000 people every season generally comprised of over 90 nationalities, emphasising the Global Village values of diversity and equality. 

Investors can explore a number of different commercial opportunities at Global Village with innovative business ideas and concepts. Entrepreneurs have enjoyed strong return on investment in previous seasons and many have now expanded their businesses to multiple outlets across the UAE and Internationally. From pavilions to retail stores, from restaurants to kiosks and from attractions to activations, Global Village provides multiple avenues to business success.