The Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC) is reaffirming its status as a crucial element of Dubai’s economic framework, making substantial contributions to the emirate’s GDP through an engaging array of premier business events.
In 2024, DWTC’s events schedule—featuring 100 major exhibitions, international conventions, and industry conferences—successfully attracted more than 2 million attendees and produced a total economic impact of Dh22.35 billion. Out of this figure, Dh13.04 billion was recorded as Gross Value Added (GVA) to Dubai’s GDP, highlighting the considerable value retained within the local economy.
Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of The Executive Council, stated: “Dubai’s enduring development as a top global hub for significant international events demonstrates the effectiveness of our leadership’s long-term vision and the city’s capacity to continuously open new pathways for growth. The spectacular results achieved by DWTC in 2024 further solidify Dubai’s ability to unite the globe’s most brilliant minds, pioneering firms, and transformative ideas that can shape the future. This achievement is a direct result of ongoing investment in forward-looking infrastructure, global connectivity, and a supportive business climate that links markets and cultivates partnerships.”
“The MICE sector is vital in enhancing Dubai’s reputation as a leading global center, a vision expressed in the Dubai Economic Agenda D33. We are committed to further strengthening this sector as a fundamental component of an economy that is increasingly diversified and innovation-driven. Dubai will continue to serve as a global hub for ideas, investment, and enterprise—a city transforming opportunities into sustainable growth.”
Expansion of Large-Scale Events
In 2024, DWTC recorded unprecedented growth in its roster of large-scale events, noting a 32 percent increase year-on-year in both the number of events and the scale of established mega events.
Out of the more than 2 million event attendees, 936,083 traveled internationally—showcasing Dubai’s escalating status as a premier destination for business tourism.
This uptick in large events is estimated to have generated 85,533 jobs across the MICE sector and its related industries. The boost in international participation was crucial in delivering extensive socio-economic benefits, significantly elevating the total economic output.
Financial Impact of the MICE Sector
The large-scale events hosted at DWTC in 2024 realized an estimated Dh2.9 billion in sales within the MICE sector, clearly indicating the robustness of Dubai’s event-centered economy. This figure primarily stemmed from investments made by organizers and exhibitors in venue space, stand services, logistics, and various business support services. Remarkably, this direct spending catalyzed nearly eight times its value in broader non-trade economic activity throughout Dubai—illustrating that for every Dh1 spent during a DWTC event, an impressive Dh7.7 in economic output was generated across the city.
The expansion of DWTC’s large-scale events, paired with the surge in international participation, directly boosted expenditures in both MICE-related services and associated industries. In 2024, direct spending in these complementary sectors rose to Dh13.17 billion, indicating widespread economic benefits.
Key Sectors with Notable Increases:
• Business Entertainment: Dh1.78 billion (an increase of 36 percent)
• Retail Trade: Dh2.64 billion (up 34 percent)
• Restaurants and Food & Beverage: Dh2.23 billion (up 30 percent)
• Hotel Accommodation: Dh3.41 billion (up 15 percent)
• Air Travel and Local Transportation: Dh2.86 billion (up 8 percent)
These figures underscore DWTC’s role as a vital economic driver, fostering activity across essential sectors including travel, hospitality, retail, and entertainment. The significant impact of DWTC’s events further enhances the overall economic value contributed to Dubai—not only through immediate MICE transactions but by generating additional economic value across related industries.
Helal Saeed Al Marri, General Director of the DWTC Authority, remarked: “Aligned with the Dubai Economic Agenda D33, every initiative at DWTC is aimed at accelerating the growth of an economy prepared for the future—one that draws global talent, empowers businesses, and fosters meaningful international collaboration. The increase in large-scale events and international attendance in 2024 validates our strategic focus on expanding hosting capabilities and infrastructure, with the first phase of the Dubai Exhibition Centre’s expansion on track to finish by 2026. With this upgraded world-class facility, we are enhancing our capacity to accommodate impactful global events while deepening DWTC’s role as a catalyst for economic opportunities, innovation, and sustainable growth.”
Increase in International Participation
International visitors significantly outspend their domestic counterparts, averaging Dh9,833 per event—nearly six times the Dh1,673 average of local attendees. Their spending on travel, extended stays, hospitality, retail, and dining, in addition to travel with business associates or family, creates a larger economic impact on the city.
In 2024, the MENA region led international business event attendance, constituting 32 percent of participants, followed by Europe (27 percent), Asia Pacific (10 percent), Eastern Europe and Central Asia (10 percent), the Indian subcontinent (10 percent), Africa (6 percent), the Americas (5 percent), and Oceania (1 percent). The top ten source markets—Saudi Arabia, India, China, Turkey, Oman, the United Kingdom, Egypt, Iran, Russia, and Germany—highlight the city’s strategic position as a primary global business hub connecting East and West.
Diversity of Sectors
The range of sectors represented in DWTC’s events calendar reflects Dubai’s strategic intent to foster growth in high-impact fields. In line with the emirate’s economic objectives, DWTC continues to act as a significant platform for exhibitions, conventions, and conferences that support key sectors driving innovation and diversification.
The three leading industries in 2024—Healthcare, Medical, and Scientific; Food, Hotel, and Catering; and Information Technology—accounted for 58 percent (Dh7.59 billion) of the total Gross Value Added (GVA) to Dubai’s economy. These sectors collectively attracted 51 percent (1.02 million) of all attendees and 61 percent (569,216) of international visitors, reinforcing their essential role in shaping the MICE landscape and the economy of Dubai.
The Healthcare, Medical, and Scientific sector topped the list with 21 events and 460,858 attendees, generating Dh3.68 billion in GVA. The Food, Hotel, and Catering sector followed with nine events and 283,119 participants, contributing Dh2.35 billion, while the Information Technology sector held five events, welcoming 280,967 attendees, and providing Dh1.55 billion in economic output.
“Looking ahead, DWTC is committed to redefining the global MICE landscape by harnessing innovation, strategic collaborations, and Dubai’s unique geographical advantages to unlock new avenues for economic impact. The achievements in 2024 pave the way for future growth as we continue to develop dynamic, world-class platforms for international business engagement that further establish Dubai as one of the leading destinations for both business and tourism,” concluded Al Marri.