Sandance organisers launch refund website for disgruntled Dubai revellers

Sandance said they will reimburse the full value of the tickets if purchasers fill in an online form before midnight on January 12.

Hundreds of revellers were stranded en route to the concert after police refused entry to shuttle buses on the Palm Jumeirah shortly before midnight. Handout photo
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DUBAI // Sandance organisers have launched a website to refund disgruntled revellers who missed the New Year’s Eve event amid traffic chaos.

The site, sandancenye2013.com, went live on Monday morning.

“Sandance is known for amazing experiences and we are extremely sorry for the huge inconvenience to our guests who purchased tickets to attend Sandance on New Year’s Eve 2013,” organisers said on the site.

“We understand that many guests wanted to enjoy Sandance on this special night and were unable to reach the venue or experienced significant traffic delays.”

The organisers are refunding the full value of tickets if purchasers fill in the online form before 11:59pm this Sunday.

But many ticket holders were concerned that would be unable to claim because they had paid cash.

“If you have exchanged your physical ticket for a wristband, we will accept valid proof of purchase from authorised retailers,” the website states.

“We are working with our online and offline ticket partners to assist us to establish valid proof of purchase. Please provide the information on the Sandance NYE online refund form to speed up the verification process for your refund submission.”

Sandance also promised ticket holders a 50 per cent discount for the next Sandance event, details of which have yet to be announced.

The discount will be given by way of a promotion code, which will be sent to each ticketholder.

Hundreds of revellers were stranded on their way to the concert after police refused shuttle buses entry to the Palm Jumeirah shortly before midnight, when the record-breaking fireworks display was due to start.

Guests had been told that the buses, leaving from the American University in Dubai, were the only way to get to the event. But a dedicated bus lane was not enforced and the vehicles were caught in traffic.

Organisers had said more than 17,000 people were expected to attend the concert, which starred Emeli Sande and Paul Oakenfold. Tickets cost between Dh450 and Dh600.

“While the situation on New Year’s Eve was the result of various factors that were not under our control, the experience of our guests is our top priority,” Sandance said.

Ticket holders were told that the refund process would take between two and 21 days to complete and the money will be credited to your debit or credit account.

ksinclair@thenational.ae