(Thumbnail image: Gulf News)
It’s the biggest festival of its kind, and people travel hundreds of miles, on a camel's back, to get there.
It generated almost $80 million in camel sales, and organizers of the third annual Al Dhafra Camel Festival say it keeps getting bigger.
We’re looking at why, with perspectives from BBC News, CNBC, ArabianBusiness.com, CNN and The National.
On BBC News, one camel breeder says it’s the quest for money that helps the festival thrive.
“We go and buy camels before the festival because during the festival, the market moves, and we can get a higher price for our camels. We need to get a good stock before the festival so we can make money at Al Dhafra.”
On CNBC’s “Street Signs,” an anchor explains the cash flow, and in an article from ArabianBusiness.com, a festival organizer says it’s a sign of the festival's longevity.
“One camel connoisseur, a local businessman, dropped 6.5 million dollars on just three beautiful camels at the Al Dhafra Camel Festival. One went for 2.7 million dollars. One camel. That is equivalent to about eight new Lamborghini Murcielagos.”
“The festival challenged the economic recession in its first days; camel sales are very active since the beginning of the festival, which points to hot competition coming up between camel owners more than last year.”
But many visitors make the annual desert-trek for more than just cash. Almost 30,000 camels competed in the festival’s main event – the beauty contest.
On CNN, camel owners say they relish the competitive environment.
“Because it’s my camel, I will say it’s very beautiful. The judges are looking for too many things. Next year it will be better. ... I competed last year and I got excellent scores. We came in 6th place and we won a car. We came in 6th out of 35 camels.”
But it's not all for the beauty title. The National adds a different perspective, giving a deeper reason for the festival's growth.
“The Al Dhafra festival is really about promoting the UAE’s heritage (FLASH) Revelers make the most of the opportunity to get back to their Bedouin roots.”
So, do you think camel festivals are like horse races in the West? What keeps camel-connoisseurs going back for more?
Writer: Courtney Cebula
Producer: Newsy Staff
 |  |  |  |
