The Dubai World Trade Center (DWTC) announced today its record-breaking performance in 2024, underscoring Dubai’s continued economic growth and its position as a powerful international platform for business and trade enablement.
DWTC welcomed 2.65 million event participants in 2024, marking a 7 percent increase compared to the previous year. These results were driven by a robust calendar of 378 meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions (MICE), and business and consumer events, reflecting a notable 26 percent year-on-year growth.
“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,” stated Helal Saeed Almarri, director general of the DWTC Authority.
International participation soars to over 942,000 attendees
DWTC’s flagship MICE segment experienced significant growth, increasing from 107 events in 2023 to 135 MICE events in 2024. These events collectively attracted 2.03 million attendees, reflecting an impressive 30 percent year-on-year growth. International participation at MICE events soared to over 942,000 attendees, representing 46 percent of the total MICE attendees, further reinforcing Dubai’s appeal as a top global business destination.
These sector-leading exhibitions and events saw the participation of 58,665 exhibiting companies, representing a 9 percent increase over last year. Moreover, a significant 77 percent of these exhibiting companies were international, further reinforcing Dubai’s ability to consistently draw international companies and businesses.
The surge in foreign business participation in MICE events in Dubai furthers the aspirations of the Dubai Economic Agenda “D33”, to cement Dubai’s position as one of the top three cities for business and tourism globally.
“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,” added Almarri.
DWTC-organized events gain traction
In 2024, DWTC organized 20 flagship exhibitions and events, attracting an impressive 590,000 attendees, a 14 percent year-on-year increase. Of these, 242,000 were international attendees, representing a remarkable 41 percent of total participation. The number of exhibiting companies at DWTC’s exhibitions increased by 9 percent to 19,062, with over 15,000 international exhibitors, accounting for an impressive 79 percent of the total number of exhibitors.
Internationally, KAOUN International strengthened DWTC’s global footprint by expanding flagship events beyond Dubai, with standout performances of GITEX AFRICA in Morocco and the successful launch of GITEX DIGI_HEALTH 5.0 Asia in Singapore.
Healthcare, medical and scientific events lead growth
The healthcare, medical, and scientific sector remained the top-performing industry sector at DWTC, with 25 events that attracted over 465,000 attendees, accounting for 23 percent of total MICE participation. This marks a remarkable 69 percent increase in attendance compared to 2023. Key events included WHX Expo Dubai (formerly Arab Health), AEEDC, DUPHAT, WHX Labs Dubai (formerly Medlab) and Dubai Derma.
The food, hotel, and catering sector secured the second position, attracting over 283,000 attendees, a 14 percent share of the total MICE participation. Led by Gulfood and Gulfood Manufacturing, this sector experienced a substantial 25 percent increase in participation compared to 2023.
Meanwhile, the information technology sector followed closely in third position, attracting over 281,000 attendees, also a 14 percent share of the total MICE participation. This sector, primarily driven by GITEX Global and its associated events, saw participation increase by 8 percent year-on-year.
“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,” Almarri added.
