Dubai: Excitement, international food, and the promise of new experiences marked the opening of Global Village Season 31, as visitors arrived at the Dubai attraction to explore its mix of cultures, cuisines, shopping, and entertainment.
Running under the theme ‘A More Wonderful World,’ the new season has brought together visitors from different backgrounds, with some experiencing Global Village for the first time and others returning for familiar favourites.
For tourists, it has been an opportunity to discover one of Dubai’s popular attractions before heading home. For UAE residents, it has been a chance to revisit the destination for its international food offerings, cultural experiences, and family-friendly activities.
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Sightseeing all the places
Lamees Kadhim, a tourist from Iraq who lives in Germany, has visited Global Village with her husband and son. Having heard about the attraction through the media, she has been excited to experience it in person for the first time.
“I am a tourist here and I never visited the Global Village, so I'm excited about sightseeing all the places, from all areas and all the countries,” Kadhim told Gulf News.
She has heard about Global Village before her visit and saw the trip as an opportunity to explore the different countries represented at the destination.
“I know about it from before. I heard a lot about it. I see it on the media, so I thought it is a good opportunity to visit it while I'm here.”
Eating and shopping
For Urvi Battol, a Pakistani expatriate visiting Global Village for the first time, discovering international cuisines and experiencing different cultures have been top priorities.
“I am here to explore different food, and see the different kinds of culture for myself,” shared Battol.
She has looked forward to shopping for distinctive items representing different countries, including shawls, rings, and other accessories. Apart from shopping, food has been firmly on her list of things she enjoyed during the visit.
All about food
For Madagascar expats Areff Issack Sairah and Gabiolla Rasoarinasy, Global Village has been the place to enjoy a variety of international dishes and take in the atmosphere.
Sairah has visited the attraction three times, while Rasoarinasy attended for the first time. Their plans for the visit have included sampling as much food as possible.
“We are looking forward to food. All the food. We want to test all food, like Chinese food and Indian food,” exclaimed Sairah.
Food has not been the only reason for enjoying the destination. Asked about her favourite part of Global Village, she said, “I love the views.”
Last thing on the list
Priscilla Abban, a tourist from Ghana, has noted that visiting Global Village was the final stop on her Dubai itinerary before returning home.
“I really want to see it. This is my first time here and I was told it is a must-see if you've been to Dubai. So it’s the last thing on my list before I go back to Ghana,” stated Abban.
She has also shared how she decided to include Global Village in her plans.
“My ChatGPT told me to visit Global Village before I go back. I am doing that!”
Always the food
For UAE resident Izzy de Meo, the reason to return to Global Village year after year has been simple, food.
“The food. Every time. Always the food,” said Izzy.
One of the places that has attracted food lovers is the Floating Market, where visitors can find dishes including tom yum fried rice, dumplings, spring rolls, and Thai shrimp fritters.
Izzy has been visiting with Una de Meo, who was experiencing Global Village for the first time. Una has been impressed by the range of choices available.
“It is amazing. There is just so much to choose from,” added Una.
Floating market
Similarly, Dubai-based influencer Aishwarya has been enjoying the food at the Floating Market.
She has been particularly keen on the Thai mussels and was also trying mango sticky rice for the first time.
Her verdict on the dessert has been clear, it was perfect.
Different cultures
For Indian tourist Balbir Singh, Global Village has offered a combination of cultural experiences and activities for the whole family. Visiting with his wife and daughter, Singh has bared that the attraction had something for visitors of different ages.
“It's very exciting here because there are different types of culture and fun activities for kids and everyone,” shared Singh.
The visit has been the family's first experience of Global Village and they were impressed by what the destination had to offer.
“This is our first time experiencing Global Village. It's amazing.”
‘I love the community’
While some visitors are discovering Global Village for the first time, others have made it part of their lives in Dubai.
Luna Anais Weyer, an Algerian-French Year 10 student based in Dubai, has been visiting the attraction for around six years. Arriving with her friends Nessya and Melodie, Weyer has mentioned that the community and the variety of international food were among the main reasons she continued to return.
“I love the community and I love the food that they have. They have so many varieties of different countries and everything. It’s so fun,” explained Weyer.
Her favourite memories have included time spent playing arcade games and winning prizes.
“My most favourite memory is by the arcades and the games that you get to win things.”
For Weyer, visiting with friends and family has been an important part of the experience, adding to the memories she has built over the years.
A world of experiences in one destination
As Global Village opens Season 31, visitors have different reasons for being there, from exploring cultures and buying souvenirs to sampling international food and enjoying entertainment with family and friends.
For first-time visitors, the attraction offers an opportunity to discover different experiences in one place. For returning visitors, favourite dishes, familiar views, and shared memories remain part of its appeal.
Whether they are exploring the destination for the first time or returning for another season, visitors have arrived with one thing in common, an eagerness to see what Global Village has to offer.