DWTC Attracts 2 Million People And Hosts 244 Exhibitions

Dubai World Trade Center (DWTC) has welcomed almost 2 million visitors and has hosted 244 exhibitions and events in the year 2022, according to records.

The DWTC has reported exceptional performance across all of its companies, with a 29 percent rise in visitors to 1.98 million delegates. Around 244 MICE (meetings, incentives, conferences, and exhibitions), both business and consumer events, contributed to the rise in visitors.

In 2022, it attracted more than 37,000 exhibiting companies (an increase of 50 percent from 2021), of which 72 percent were global.

The annual results for 2022, announced by Dubai World Trade Center, show growth over the previous years. Among them, 97 exhibitions and conferences brought in 1.18 million visitors, of whom 38% were from outside the country, underlining Dubai’s status as a top travel and business destination. 

About the DWTC Annual Results 2022

Announcing the results Helal Saeed Almarri, the Director General of DWTC, commented that “The results of the DTWC 2022 deniably confirm the efforts taken by the Emirates in recovering from the post-pandemic economy and maximizing opportunities achieved through the strategic collaborative involvement of stakeholders across all sectors of the economy.

” He also added that “the year 2022 highlighted Dubai’s leadership with its vibrant events sector, a recognized international hub for valuable knowledge exchange, successful networking, and game-changing innovation.

By reaffirming Dubai’s status as the MICE industry’s hub and continuing to contribute to the achievement of Dubai Economic Strategy D33 targets, we will build on this momentum.”

In contrast to the combined portfolio of events, which attracted 12,000 exhibiting firms, the DWTC’s own portfolio of exhibits and events, which includes flagship events GITEX Global and Gulfood, attracted 337,000 visitors, representing 20 percent yearly growth.

DWTC also introduced KAOUN International, building on its track record of producing market-leading events that have assisted in elevating the UAE and the region as a top global destination for significant international business events. 

The debut editions of the Saudi Food Show and GITEX Africa are scheduled to be held in 2023 by the global market-focused events company. By reaching record-breaking results in 2022 and drawing more than 170,000 people, 40% of whom were from outside the United States, GITEX Global, the largest tech exhibition in the world, once again put Dubai and the United Arab Emirates at the forefront of emerging innovations.

According to the DWTC’s GITEX Global 2022 Economic Impact Assessment Report, published in December 2022, the event produced a total of AED 2.6 billion, with 57 percent remaining in the local economy.

The 27th edition of Gulfood saw a 50 percent increase in participation and once again brought together food and beverage producers and buyers from the Middle East and Africa (MEA).

Several nations, including Turkey, Italy, and Estonia, expanded their national pavilions, highlighting Dubai’s reputation as a strategic gateway for international trade in food and beverages.

With 17 events (up from 12 in 2021) and 2,02,000 attendees, Healthcare, Medical, and Scientific were the best-performing sector. Arab Health and AEEDC, two of the region’s largest healthcare exhibitions, topped the list.

The information technology sector, with 1,84,000 attendees,  saw an increase from six events in 2021 to ten events in 2022, representing 22-year-on-year growth, driven by GITEX Global and its co-located events.

Eight events were held by the Food and Beverage Trade sector, which is headed by Gulfood, and 1,60,000 people attended them, increasing  18 percent from 2021. Seven events in the Automotive and Transportation sector, driven by Automechanika, attracted 69,000 attendees, while the Big 5 was the best-attended exposition in the Building, Construction, and Facilities Management sector, drawing more than 66,000 guests.

The other popular 2022 exhibitions were the Medlab Exhibition and Conference, the Dubai International Pharmaceuticals and Technologies Conference and Exhibition (DUPHAT), and the Dubai World Dermatology and Laser Conference and Exhibition (Dubai Derma).

Middle East Energy, Arabian Travel Market Exhibition Index Exhibition, Water, Energy, Technology, and Environment Exhibition (WETEX), Dubai Muscle Show, and Dubai Active 2022 Beauty World Middle East and Wellness and Spa Exhibition Gulf Food Manufacturing

Around 790,000 people visited the DWTC, which featured a total of 47 thrilling entertainment, live, and leisure events. Dubai Sports World set a record with 3,08,000 attendees, up 53% from 2021, while Dubai Run attracted 1,93,000 visitors in 2022.

DXB Live, DWTC’s experiential agency, achieved record growth in 2022, thus paving its way into new regional and international markets, including Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, and Germany.

More than 400 events received services from DXB Live, which also served as the primary contractor for more than 50 exhibitions, including major occasions like GITEX Global, Light Middle East, Beauty World, and Gulfood.

In addition, DXB Live, in partnership with the World of Coffee Association, organized and delivered the World of Coffee exhibition. While One Central, a grade-A commercial building, experienced its best occupancy rate since launching, at 75 percent, the Dubai World Trade Center Authority (DWTCA) Free Zone doubled in size and issued 926 new licenses in 2022.

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The year has also witnessed the opening of the five-star flagship 25 Hours Hotel at One Central. It has contributed to a lively mix of new restaurants and cafes in the community with its successful F&B concepts.

On concluding the annual report, Helal Saeed Almarri, the director general of DWTC, said:  “Once we expand with KOAUN International into Saudi Arabia and Morocco in 2023, we will strengthen our position as a regional leader in the MICE industry, both within the UAE and internationally.

In addition, we continue to expand our real estate and free zone operations to make sure that we remain a desirable, forward-thinking center for growing industries and technology, as well as business leaders, entrepreneurs, and innovators seeking to influence the future of business from Dubai “.