Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC), a global leader in the events and exhibitions industry, played a pivotal role in shaping Dubai’s economic landscape in 2023. Throughout the year, DWTC hosted an impressive array of 301 events, attracting a total of 2.47 million participants. Among these, 76 were large-scale gatherings, drawing in 1.54 million attendees, 46% of whom traveled from international destinations.
The impact of DWTC’s events on Dubai’s economy was substantial, generating a total economic output of US$4.98 billion. This remarkable figure represents a significant 40% year-on-year increase and is largely attributed to the success of the 76 large-scale events, each attracting over 2,000 attendees.
According to the 2023 Economic Impact Assessment (EIA) Report by DWTC, the MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions) ecosystem, which encompasses sectors such as travel, accommodation, and retail, experienced significant growth as a direct result of the events hosted by DWTC. These events contributed a substantial US$2.87 billion to Dubai’s GDP, retaining an impressive 58% of the economic output within the local economy.
International attendance at DWTC’s events surged by an impressive 53%, with visitors from abroad contributing 6.2 times more to the local economy than domestic attendees. The events also played a crucial role in supporting 69,281 jobs and generating US$915 million in disposable household income for Dubai’s residents.
Beyond the direct financial gains, DWTC’s events have also facilitated socio-economic progress, bolstering Dubai’s position as a premier global business destination. His Excellency Helal Saeed Almarri, Director General of DWTC Authority, emphasized the alignment of DWTC’s efforts with Dubai’s Economic Agenda D33, which aims to diversify the city’s economy and reinforce its status as a leading global business hub.
DWTC’s extensive range of events strategically corresponds with Dubai’s economic priorities, with Healthcare, Medical, and Scientific; Information Technology (IT); and Food, Hotel, and Catering emerging as the main drivers. Collectively, these pivotal sectors accounted for 59% (US$1.71 billion) of Dubai’s Gross Value Added (GVA) and attracted 49% (747,468) of all significant event attendees.
The upswing in economic engagement generated by DWTC’s events also positively impacted related sectors like hospitality, air travel, and local transportation, generating direct expenditure revenue close to US$2.94 billion. This comprehensive impact underscores the significant role that DWTC plays in shaping Dubai’s economic landscape and driving sustainable socio-economic development.
