3.3 million visitors make it to DWTC

Dubai World Trade Centre Authority (DWTCA), the region’s largest trade venue, witnessed 3.3 million delegates, and attendees participated in 353 MiCE and business events in 2017. This was a strong 10 per cent increase from 2016 on the back of proven participant ROI for foreign firms.

The top performing events reflected strong sectoral alignment with the UAE’s economic diversification strategy that targets creation of an optimal balance between industries. The noteworthy year-on-year footfall increase has been driven by the calendar’s ability to attract high quality visitors, delegates and attendees from 185 countries, and participating exhibitors with 56,360 exhibiting companies from 154 countries. With 39,202 exhibitors from overseas markets, DWTC registered a strong 10 per cent increase in this base over 2016 on the back of proven participant  ROI for foreign firms. The 2017 results are testament to DWTC’s ability to consistently attract increased and repeat foreign participation, and are a strong endorsement of the organisation’s reputation as a world-class business catalyst amongst the global community. DWTC’s impressive results further reiterate the impact of its diversified content-rich calendar of MiCE and business events, as it continues to grow its contribution to Dubai’s economy.
“DWTC is driven by the future-focused vision of the UAE’s leadership, which has implemented the ambitious UAE Vision 2021 and UAE Centennial 2071 to diversify the country’s economy and develop a competitive knowledge-based society to guarantee sustainable prosperity for its citizens. The strong increase in the number of key MiCE and business events reflect sectors that are strategically aligned with Dubai Plan 2021 and the goals of building an innovation-led economy that contributes to the development of the UAE and Dubai. Our strategic innovation agenda is propelled by the vision set by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum to transform Dubai into a global platform for industries. We are committed to future proofing DWTC’s business by sourcing smart solutions and integrating smart technologies that offer safe, secure and seamless experiences, setting the gold standard in digital innovation to attract new and repeat international business visitors to Dubai, as the city accelerates towards the 20-million-tourists target by 2020,” said His Excellency Helal Saeed Almarri, Director General, Dubai World Trade Centre Authority (DWTCA) and Dubai Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM).
International participation also posted a steady increase, as DWTC hosted over 1.1 million foreign business travellers in 2017, representing 42 per cent of overall participant volumes and 6 per cent annual growth. The rise in number of international exhibiting companies and the continued efforts to market Dubai’s MiCE proposition in key visitation markets contributed to the rise in international business visitors to Dubai. China, Germany and Turkey made their debut in the top 10 source markets, while dominant mainstays Saudi Arabia, India, Oman, United Kingdom, Kuwait, Iran and Egypt completed the list of top 10 business visitor markets.