Every year, like the other annual major fairs and events, Dhaka International Trade Fair (DITF) manages to do one thing very easily – attracting a massive crowd consisting hundreds of thousands of people.
But that does not mean all the visitors go to the fair for shopping only and businesses taking part in the DITF also know that. Apart from shopping in general, there are a number of things people also do for their own recreation, given the facilities, when they visit the month-long fair.
After several visits at DITF 2018, which started on January 1, the Dhaka Tribune has found the top five things visitors do at the fair when they are not haggling for the things they want to buy.
Walkabouts and check-ins
Generally, the trade fair is a place for businesses to show-off and promote their products and services, which the people can take a look at for free and buy if they want. But there are always a group of people who visits the fair on a regular basis trying to find entertainment, but usually does not buy anything. They, however, do not let go the opportunities free of cost to verify the quality of the products and checkout fascinating offers.
Government service holder Ahmed Ali comes to the fair almost every day as he finds it very entertaining. “This month every year, I usually try to leave work a bit early to come to the DITF because the place always wears a festive look and everyone seems so happy.”
“Sellers do not get tired after letting you try out a product for free even if you do not buy anything and leave. This is fun and entertaining,” he said.
Apart from the ones roaming around aimlessly in the fair, there are others who tend to garner attention on social media by going live on video on the internet, posting selfies, photos and giving check-ins at DITF. Rather than buying stuff, their goal seems to be having fun with friends and family.
Swarna, who introduced herself as an online critic, said that she tries to go live all the time in different social media platforms, including Facebook and Instagram, to give people who follow her information about products.Discount hawks
The DITF is a place where buyers get surprising discounts and offers, including buy one and get one free. A salesman at cookie stall said they have come up with offers keeping in mind the demands of mothers and children.
Showing an interesting cookie-jar, he said: “Products inside this jar is for children, but the jar is to attract their mothers because she will also be able to use it in her kitchen later.”
Mariam Akhter, a mother of two, has spent around Tk8,000 to buy different types of cookies, noodles, frozen foods. “The trade fair is always useful when it comes to buying products at cheep rates and getting free products that are worthy to go for.”
“I buy cookies and noodles from the fair every year and store them for the next three to four months. I also love comparing the quality and price at the same place before buying my stuff,” she said.Kitchen kooks
The trade fair is also an interesting place for the “kitchen kooks” who are always looking for more user friendly crockeries and kitchen appliances. For them, it becomes sort of a heaven when majority of the local stalls showcase kitchen appliances, while competing with the international brands, with offers like “buy one oven and get 10-15 items free.”
Halima Begum, a home cook, told the Dhaka Tribune: “What you should do at the trade fair is that you should buy the kitchen gadgets that will make your life easier.”The home decor lovers
The fair is not only for the homely persons or those who are there just to pass the time. DITF also attracts a lot of people who want gorgeous and luxurious products to give decorate their homes, and the fair provides them.
However, most of such products are found in the stalls of foreign brands or companies. Many local brands are also brandishing their products in the fair.
Rahman, a businessman, explained the benefit of buying these products from the fair, even though he randomly visits other countries on business purpose.
He said: “If I buy these home décors from abroad, I would not be able to bring them home as it will cost me two times more than what I will spend here. So, first, I visit the fair and make a list of things my wife and I can buy based on our budget, and then we come together to confirm and buy.”Amusement parks
The actual fun place at DITF, which makes the trade fair looks like a fair too, is where the little amusement parks are. Two temporary small parks have been set up for children and youths this year.
At one corner of the fair, “Fun Land,” set up by Antar Enterprise, sees a good number of crowd every day. Entry is free, but the visitors will have to enjoy the exciting rides it has, including electric train, magic boat, swing chair, marry-go-round, sports car and helicopter, paying a very low amount for the tickets.
The owner of “Fun Land”, Tarik Hasan Kajal said: “This is not only for the children. Adults can enjoy the rides too. We also offer free rides to the children with special needs.”
Another amusement park, “Sharika Fantasy Park,” offers 3D movies with the tickets costing Tk100. It also has a number of rides including wonder wheel, honey swing, train and magic boat. Their ticket prices are also cheap.
