Tourism & Hospitality | Monday 5 January, 2015 12:35 am |

Bawadi Mall, the largest mall in Al Ain city and the leading edutainment destination for families in the UAE, attracted 10,321,541 million visitors in 2014, recording the highest footfall since its opening. The Mall organised a series of entertainment, shopping and fun activities during 12 months that astounded visitors and shoppers, contributing to this success, according to Bassam Saleh, Marketing Manager, Bawadi Mall.

“An exciting line-up of entertainment activities contributed to this remarkable increase in number of visitors during 2014. We succeeded in creating an ideal shopping environment where all tenants in the mall synergized to create a richer experience for visitors. The growing numbers are a reflection of the boom in the tourism industry in Al Ain city whose footprint on the region’s tourism map is getting bigger.”

In addition, Bawadi Mall hosted several educational, health, social, and art shows, organised by government and private entities in Al Ain city.

Saleh said: “These events, held largely during peak periods such as Eid and summer vacations, were enthusiastically welcomed by visitors and tourists alike, and were part of the efforts of the mall management to provide a multi-cultural shopping experience.”

Bawadi Mall has run its ‘Win Daily’ shopping campaign that attracted participation of 400 outlets and received 1,326,269 visitors during the 47-day campaign. This campaign generated overwhelming response from visitors and shoppers in the first four months of 2014. The daily prizes helped attract hordes of visitors, because many visitors do not have the patience to keep track of campaigns that stretch for weeks or even months. Bawadi Mall believes in the concept where a visitor can win the same day with the results being announced each evening.

Also, Bawadi Mall hosted Ramadan in 2014 with another tempting 40-day ‘Win Daily’ campaign, welcoming 829,121 visitors, with one lucky shopper winning daily thousands of dirhams in Bawadi gift vouchers. The main idea behind this regular campaign was to reward our loyal shoppers

The mall continued its edutainment campaigns during Eid al Fitr with spectacular folklore shows from 6 countries entitled ‘Around the World in 40 Days’ featuring seven performances by each of the dance groups. The cultural dances included those of Macedonia, Indonesia, Mongolia, Georgia, Turkey, and Ukraine. Bawadi Mall gave importance to folklore shows because they fit in the visitor demographics, and appeal to culture lovers and youth. It is an added value to the service and variety of options offered at the mall.

In September, Bawadi Mall launched Back to School campaign with a host of discounts and deals. The mall believes that return to school is both an exciting and stressing time for parents and kids, so the management tried to encourage shopping outlets to offer their best discount offers at this period of the year.

Moreover, as part of its cultural-driven strategy, Bawadi Mall brought a slice of Barcelona’s ‘La Rambla’ Street, New York’s Bowery and Houston Street to Al Ain in October 2014 through Human Statues, Spray Painting, portraits , caricatures and others that sprang up at the mall as part of the Street Art theme. The campaign aimed to generate public interest in non-conventional and non-traditional art, as a follow-up to a series of shopping campaigns, raffle draws and folklore dance shows during the summer. Street Art at Bawadi Mall attracted 598,624 visitors.

Coinciding with the UAE Flag Day, Bawadi Mall flew high the UAE Flag for Al Ain community as part of the nationwide celebrations. The mall continued its festivities with a National Day-themed Car exhibition on 1st December through giveaways and interactive community programmes. Bawadi Mall’s Open Day was totally free-of-charge and added a unique theme and spirit to the grand National Day celebrations. The mall has also arranged activities with leading retail brands to offer giveaways to celebrate the occasion.

‘The Minions’ topped the entertainment lineup in the festive season at Bawadi Mall, complemented by Santa Claus, comedians and magic shows. Bawadi Mall also presented comedy shows, amazing magic shows, face painting activities and balloon benders. Moreover, it hosted mascots, puppet shows, and Papa Noel’s story-telling activities.