Dubai World Trade Centre reports record 2024 growth with 2.65mn attendees
Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC) reported a record-breaking year in 2024, with 2.65 million event participants, a 7 percent increase from 2023.
The venue hosted 378 Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions (MICE), business, and consumer events, reflecting a 26 percent year-on-year increase, according to a statement by the Dubai Media Office.
DWTC's MICE segment recorded 135 events in 2024, up from 107 in 2023, attracting 2.03 million attendees, a 30 percent increase. International participation at MICE events reached 942,000, accounting for 46 percent of total attendees. Exhibiting companies grew by 9% to 58,665, with 77 percent being international.
Dubai World Trade Centre reports record growth in 2024
'Our 2024 achievements reflect growth – not just in numbers, but in strengthening Dubai's global market position. The remarkable increase in international participation underscores growing confidence in Dubai's dynamic business ecosystem and DWTC's role in fostering meaningful commercial connections. Our continued success in attracting new-to-market events across diverse sectors reaffirms Dubai's unique appeal as a global hub where innovation meets opportunity. This momentum fuels our confidence as we drive forward with our ambitious venue expansion strategy to meet increasing global demand,' Helal Saeed Almarri, Director General of Dubai World Trade Centre Authority said.
DWTC organised 20 exhibitions and events, drawing 590,000 attendees, a 14 percent year-on-year increase.
International attendees numbered 242,000, or 41 percent of total participation. Exhibiting companies at DWTC's events increased by 9 percent to 19,062, with 79 percent being international.
KAOUN International expanded DWTC's reach beyond Dubai, with GITEX AFRICA in Morocco and GITEX DIGI_HEALTH 5.0 Asia in Singapore.
Healthcare, IT sectors lead DWTC's top performing events in 2024
The Healthcare, Medical, and Scientific sector hosted 25 events, attracting 465,000 attendees, a 69 percent increase from 2023. Key events included WHX Expo Dubai, AEEDC, DUPHAT, WHX Labs Dubai, and Dubai Derma.
The Food, Hotel, and Catering sector drew 283,000 attendees, accounting for 14 percent of MICE participation, led by Gulfood and Gulfood Manufacturing. The Information Technology sector recorded 281,000 attendees, driven by GITEX Global.
Other top-performing sectors included the Consumer Goods sector, attracting 112,000 attendees, and the Leisure, Sport, and Travel sector, with 110,000 attendees. High-performing exhibitions included The Big 5, Beauty World, WETEX, Automechanika, and Intersec.
DWTC hosted 25 conferences in 2024, doubling the previous year's number, with nearly 90,000 participants. Key events included AYUSH Conference, Arab Media Forum, Global Freight Summit, and MEIDAM.
Fourteen international association meetings drew over 104,000 participants, three times more than the previous year, with notable events including the MDRT Global Conference, WCA World, and World Congress on Intelligent Transport Systems.
Dubai Exhibition Centre (DEC) hosted 24 events in 2024, attracting 128,000 participants. Nine major exhibitions and conferences brought in 75,000 attendees and 1,300 exhibiting companies. Notable events included Custom Show Emirates, Dubai Muscle Show, and National Service Career Fair.
DWTC's AED10 billion expansion of DEC will add 64,000 sqm of permanent exhibition space by 2026, increasing total capacity to 140,000 sqm. By 2031, DEC will span 180,000 sqm, accommodating up to 65,000 visitors daily.
'Our 2024 results underscore the strategic focus on scaling Dubai's global events sector. Our DEC expansion represents the next critical phase of increasing our capacity to meet growing global demand, allowing us to significantly multiply both our event hosting capabilities and economic contribution over the coming decade. This infrastructure investment, combined with our sector diversification strategy and growing international appeal, positions DWTC to not only advance Dubai's Economic Agenda 'D33' but to fundamentally reshape the emirate's role in global commerce and solidify its status as a world-leading business destination,' Helal Saeed Almarri added.
DWTC's Real Estate division partnered with Emaar Properties to create Expo Living within Expo City Dubai. Asset Management achieved 99 percent occupancy across One Central, Sheikh Rashid Tower, and Convention Tower, while Expo Village residential units reached 90 percent occupancy.
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