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Gulf Today
03-05-2025
- Business
- Gulf Today
UAE's exhibitions, conferences industry is key pillar of growth
The exhibitions and conferences industry in the UAE continues to solidify its role as a fundamental pillar of economic growth, contributing significantly to the country's strategic goals of building a diversified, knowledge-based economy aligned with the UAE's vision for sustainable development. This vital sector has witnessed rapid advancement in organising and hosting major international events, supported by world-class infrastructure, cutting-edge facilities, and a blend of national talent and global expertise that collectively position the UAE as a premier regional and global hub for large-scale exhibitions and conferences. In 2025, the sector maintained strong performance, driving economic diversification and creating new growth opportunities across key sectors, while also continuing to host high-profile international events. According to data from Abu Dhabi, Dubai, and Sharjah, the ADNEC Group contributed Dhs8.5 billion directly to the UAE's GDP in 2024, up from Dhs7.4 billion in 2023, highlighting the growing impact and scale of hosted events. ADNEC's venues, including Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC), Al Ain Convention Centre, and Excel London, hosted more than 1,000 events in 2024, drawing a record-breaking 5.4 million visitors, the highest in the group's history. Capital Events, ADNEC's event management arm, generated Dhs10 billion in business deals through its exhibitions, while the group's hotel portfolio welcomed over 1.531 million guests. Capital Hospitality provided more than 40 million meals across 45 locations and managed approximately 2,200 events, including one of the region's largest public iftars, serving nearly 8,000 guests. The Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC) recorded exceptional economic performance in 2024. According to its economic impact report, DWTC hosted 100 major events, a 32% annual increase, comprising international exhibitions, high-level conferences, and global association meetings. These events attracted over 2 million attendees and generated Dhs22.35 billion in total economic output, with Dhs13.04 billion retained within Dubai's local GDP. Notably, around 936,000 international visitors attended DWTC events, reinforcing Dubai's stature as a global business tourism destination. This strong performance coincides with the launch of the first phase of DWTC's expansion project, scheduled for completion in 2026. The expansion aims to bolster Dubai's capacity to host mega-events and enhance its role as an innovation-driven economic hub. DWTC achieved record-breaking growth in 2024 across its calendar of large-scale events, with a 32% year-on-year increase not only in the number of events but also in the size and scale of existing mega events. Of the over 2 million attendees at these flagship events, 936,083 travelled from overseas – a testament to Dubai's rising prominence as a top global destination for business tourism. This surge in large-scale events is estimated to have supported 85,533 jobs across the MICE ecosystem and its adjacent sectors, while the rise in international participation played a pivotal role in delivering broader socio-economic impact, significantly amplifying the total economic output generated. In 2024, the 100 large-scale events hosted at DWTC generated an estimated Dhs2.9 billion in sales value within the MICE sector — a clear indicator of the strength of Dubai's event-driven economy. This value was primarily driven by event organisers and exhibitors' investment in venue space, stand services, logistics and other business support services. Notably, this direct expenditure catalysed nearly eight times its value in broader non-trade business activity across Dubai's economy – meaning that for every Dhs1 spent at a DWTC event, Dhs7.7 in economic output was generated citywide. The growth of DWTC's large-scale events and the surge in international attendance translated directly into increased spending across both MICE-related business services and adjacent sectors. In 2024, direct spending in these adjacent sectors soared to Dhs13.17 billion, reflecting widespread economic gains. International attendees contributed significantly more to the economy than domestic participants, spending an average of Dhs9,833 per event—almost six times the Dhs1,673 spent by local attendees. In 2024, the MENA region led international business event visitation, accounting for 32% of attendees, followed by Europe (27%), Asia Pacific (10%), East Europe and Central Asia (10%), the Indian subcontinent (10%), Africa (6%), the Americas (5%) and Oceania (1%). Expo Centre Sharjah (ECS) is also playing a pivotal role in supporting the national exhibitions industry, helping drive growth in various economic, social, cultural, and educational sectors, all aligned with sustainable development goals. The centre's 2025 calendar includes a lineup of specialised events in key sectors such as industry, smart transportation, trade, healthcare, perfumery, and jewellery. WAM
Gulf Today
27-04-2025
- Business
- Gulf Today
DWTC delivers Dhs22.35b in economic output driven by surge in mega events
The Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC) continues to reinforce its role as a vital pillar of Dubai's economy, contributing significantly to the emirate's GDP through a dynamic calendar of world-class business events. As the emirate advances towards the ambitious goals of the Dubai Economic Agenda D33 — to rank among the world's top three cities for business and leisure by 2033 — DWTC remains a powerful catalyst, driving economic growth and strengthening the city's global position in the Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions (MICE) sector. DWTC's 2024 Economic Impact Assessment (EIA) underscores its substantial contribution to Dubai's economy, led by 100 large-scale exhibitions, international association conventions, and industry conferences — a 32% increase year-on-year. These events drew over 2 million attendees and generated a total economic output of Dhs22.35 billion. Of this, Dhs13.04 billion was retained as Gross Value Added (GVA) to Dubai's GDP, reinforcing the significant value retained within the local economy. Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Defence and Chairman of The Executive Council of Dubai, said, 'Dubai's continued growth as a leading global destination for major international events reflects the power of the leadership's long-term vision and the city's ability to constantly create new growth pathways. The record performance of DWTC in 2024 reaffirms Dubai's ability to bring together the world's brightest minds, pioneering companies, and transformative ideas with the potential to shape the future. This success is driven by sustained investment in future-ready infrastructure, global connectivity, and a business-friendly environment that bridges markets and fosters partnerships.' 'The MICE sector plays a vital role in strengthening Dubai's profile as a leading global hub, as envisioned in the Dubai Economic Agenda D33. We continue to strengthen this sector as a key pillar of an increasingly diversified and innovation-led economy. Dubai will remain a global hub for ideas, investment, and enterprise - a city that turns opportunity into growth and enduring value.' Helal Saeed Almarri, Director-General, DWTC Authority, said, 'The results we are seeing today are a clear reflection of the long-term vision set forth by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister, and Ruler of Dubai, to position Dubai as a leading global business and innovation capital. DWTC continues to play a pivotal role in advancing this vision, serving as a key enabler of economic growth and diversification.' 'In alignment with the Dubai Economic Agenda D33, every initiative at DWTC is focused on accelerating the growth of a future-ready economy - one that attracts global talent, empowers enterprise, and enables meaningful international collaboration. The growth in large-scale events and international attendance in 2024 is a clear validation of our strategic investments in hosting capacity and infrastructure, with the first phase of the Dubai Exhibition Centre's expansion on schedule for completion in 2026. With this enhanced world-class venue, we are not only increasing our ability to host high-impact global events but also deepening DWTC's role as a driver of economic opportunity, innovation, and sustainable growth'. The study, designed to provide data-backed intelligence on the impact of Dubai's MICE sector on the city's economy, analyses the performance of large-scale events, which are defined as those that host over 2,000 participants, and their contribution to the city's economy, its growth and development. It assesses four key metrics: total spend at MICE events; other 'direct' spends in related sectors such as hotels and restaurants, retail and recreation, air and ground transport, government, and business services; 'indirect' spends related to necessary production increases to meet increased demand; and the 'induced' impact driven by increase in household income of the local population. DWTC achieved record-breaking growth in 2024 across its calendar of large-scale events, with a 32% year-on-year increase not only in the number of events but also in the size and scale of existing mega events. Of the over 2 million attendees at these flagship events, 936,083 travelled from overseas - a testament to Dubai's rising prominence as a top global destination for business surge in large-scale events is estimated to have supported 85,533 jobs across the MICE ecosystem and its adjacent sectors, while the rise in international participation played a pivotal role in delivering broader socio-economic impact, significantly amplifying the total economic output generated. In 2024, the 100 large-scale events hosted at DWTC generated an estimated Dhs2.9 billion in sales value within the MICE sector - a clear indicator of the strength of Dubai's event-driven economy. This value was primarily driven by event organisers and exhibitors' investment in venue space, stand services, logistics and other business support services. Notably, this direct expenditure catalysed nearly eight times its value in broader non-trade business activity across Dubai's economy - meaning that for every Dhs1 spent at a DWTC event, Dhs7.7 in economic output was generated citywide. WAM
