The Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC) continues to solidify its role as a crucial pillar of Dubai’s economy, significantly contributing to the emirate’s GDP through a dynamic lineup of world-class business events. As Dubai advances towards the ambitious goals of the Dubai Economic Agenda D33—aiming to rank among the world’s top three cities for business and leisure by 2033—DWTC acts as a powerful catalyst, propelling economic growth and enhancing the city’s global standing in the Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions (MICE) sector.
Notable contribution to Dubai’s economy through events
DWTC’s 2024 Economic Impact Assessment (EIA) highlights its substantial contribution to Dubai’s economy, driven by 100 large-scale exhibitions, international association conventions, and industry conferences—a remarkable 32 percent increase year-on-year. These events attracted over 2 million attendees and generated a total economic output of AED22.35 billion ($6.1 billion). Out of this, AED13.04 billion was retained as Gross Value Added (GVA) to Dubai’s GDP, underscoring the considerable value retained within the local economy.
Visionary leadership fuels Dubai’s growth as a global destination
His Highness 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, stated: “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.”
DWTC’s role in advancing Dubai’s vision for economic capital
His Excellency Helal Saeed Almarri, Director General, DWTC Authority, emphasized: “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 and Prime Minister of the UAE 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.”
Initiatives focused on future-ready economic growth
“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, analyzes the performance of large-scale events, defined as those hosting over 2,000 participants, and their contribution to the city’s economy, growth, and development. It assesses four key metrics: total spend at MICE events; direct spends in related sectors such as hotels, restaurants, retail, and transport; indirect spends related to production increases; and the induced impact driven by increases in household income.
Record-breaking growth in large-scale events
DWTC achieved record-breaking growth in 2024 across its calendar of large-scale events, with a 32 percent year-on-year increase in both the number and size of existing mega events. Of the over 2 million attendees at these flagship events, 936,083 traveled 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 adjacent sectors, while the rise in international participation played a crucial role in delivering broader socio-economic impact, significantly amplifying the total economic output generated.
Economic gains and sales value in the MICE sector
In 2024, the 100 large-scale events hosted at DWTC generated an estimated AED2.9 billion in sales value within the MICE sector—clear evidence of the strength of Dubai’s event-driven economy. This value was primarily driven by event organizers and exhibitors’ investment in venue space, stand services, logistics, and other business support services. Notably, this direct expenditure catalyzed nearly eight times its value in broader non-trade business activity across Dubai’s economy—indicating that for every AED1 spent at a DWTC event, AED7.7 in economic output was generated citywide.
The growth of DWTC’s large-scale events and the increase in international attendance translated directly into heightened spending across both MICE-related business services and adjacent sectors. In 2024, direct spending in these sectors soared to AED13.17 billion, reflecting widespread economic gains.
Remarkable increases across key sectors
Sectors that experienced notable increases include:
- Business Entertainment: AED1.78 billion (up 36 percent)
- Retail Trade: AED2.64 billion (up 34 percent)
- Restaurants and F&B: AED2.23 billion (up 30 percent)
- Hotel Accommodation: AED3.41 billion (up 15 percent)
- Air Travel and Local Transport: AED2.86 billion (up 8 percent)
These results reinforce DWTC’s role as a key economic engine, stimulating activity across vital sectors such as travel, hospitality, retail, and entertainment. The ripple effect of DWTC’s events significantly magnifies the overall value delivered to Dubai’s economy—not just through direct MICE transactions, but by driving incremental economic value to these supporting industries.
Read more: DWTC welcomes 2.65 million attendees in 2024, MICE segment grows 26 percent
International participation boosts economic impact
International attendees contributed significantly more to the economy than domestic participants, spending an average of AED9,833 per event—almost six times the AED1,673 spent by local attendees. Their expenditure on travel, extended stays, hospitality, retail, and dining generates greater economic impact for the city.
The diversity of sectors represented across DWTC’s events calendar reflects Dubai’s strategic focus on fostering growth in high-impact industries. In line with the emirate’s economic priorities, DWTC continues to serve as a powerful platform for exhibitions, conventions, and conferences that support key sectors driving innovation and diversification.
Leading industries drive economic contributions
In 2024, the three leading industries—Healthcare, Medical, and Scientific; Food, Hotel, and Catering; and Information Technology—accounted for 58 percent (AED7.59 billion) of the total Gross Value Added (GVA) to Dubai’s economy. These sectors attracted 51 percent (1.02 million) of all event attendees and 61 percent (569,216) of international visitors, reinforcing their pivotal role in shaping Dubai’s MICE and economic landscapes.
Commitment to redefining the global MICE landscape
“Looking ahead, DWTC remains committed to redefining the global MICE landscape, leveraging innovation, strategic partnerships, and Dubai’s unique geographic positioning to unlock new opportunities for economic impact. The progress achieved in 2024 sets a strong precedent for future growth, as we continue to build dynamic, world-class platforms for international business engagement that reinforce Dubai’s rise as one of the world’s top three destinations for business and tourism,” concluded His Excellency Helal Saeed Almarri.
