Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC) has reported outstanding 2024 results, solidifying its role as a key driver of Dubai’s economic growth and global business reputation. With 378 business events and exhibitions, the year saw a 26% increase (compared to 2023) in events and a significant rise in international participation.
Key Highlights:
- 2.65 million attendees, marking a 7% growth from 2023.
- 135 Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions (MICE) events, up from 107 in 2023.
- 58,665 exhibiting companies, with 77% from overseas, highlighting Dubai’s global appeal.
- 942,000 international visitors, representing 46% of total MICE attendees.
- 20 DWTC-organised exhibitions attracted 590,000 visitors, with 41% from overseas.
Growth Across Key Sectors
Several industries saw a significant rise in participation:
- The Healthcare, Medical and Scientific sector remained the top performing sector with 25 events, marking a 69% increase in attendance compared to 2023. Key events included WHX Expo Dubai (formerly Arab Health), AEEDC, DUPHAT, and WHX Labs Dubai (formerly Medlab) and Dubai Derma.
- Food, Hotel and Catering sector in second position attracting over 283,000 attendees, marking a 25% increase in attendance compared to last year. Key events included Gulfood and Gulfood Manufacturing.
- Information Technology sector in third position with 281,000 attendees, marking an 8% increase compared to 2023. Major event was GITEX Global.
- Consumer goods and Leisure/Sports/Travel sectors together attracted over 222,000 attendees, with key events like The Baby Expo, Arabian Travel Market, Dubai International Boat Show and Dubai Muscle Show.
- Additional high-performing exhibitions included The Big 5, Beauty World, WETEX, Automechanika and Intersec.
Conferences, International Expansion And Future Plans
- Conference participation tripled compared to 2023, with 90,000 attendees across 25 major conferences.
- International association meetings welcomed 104,000 participants, driven by events like MDRT Global Conference and WCA World.
- DWTC’s international arm, KAOUN International, successfully expanded events like GITEX AFRICA and GITEX DIGI_HEALTH 5.0 Asia.
- Dubai Exhibition Centre, which hosted 24 events and 128,000 participants, will expand to 180,000 square metres by 2031, enhancing Dubai’s MICE capacity.
As Dubai continues to expand its influence in the global business events industry, DWTC remains a cornerstone of the emirate’s economic and trade ecosystem, further cementing its leadership in global commerce and innovation.