Supported more than 48,2 jobs resulting in a household income of AED 4.<> billion

AED 13 billion total economic output of major events at Dubai World Trade in 2022

  • Every dirham invested in the Centre's events and related services generated 7.4 times the value of Dubai's economy. From the source

  • Helal Saeed Al Marri: "The meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions sector is a key pillar of Dubai's economy and an important engine for the business ecosystem in the region."

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The Economic Impact Assessment 2022 report issued by the Dubai World Trade Centre confirmed that Dubai is leading the way in shaping the future of business tourism, as well as the sector continues to enhance its contributions at an accelerated pace to the sustainable economic development of the Emirate of Dubai over the past year, in line with the Dubai Economic Agenda (D33) aimed at establishing the emirate as one of the top three economic cities in the world, driven by the strong performance of the Dubai World Trade Centre, which is a key driver of the meetings and incentives sector. The Centre has organized and hosted major events that have generated significant and sustainable economic returns for various related economic sectors.

Economic output

According to the Economic Impact Assessment 2022 report, the total economic output achieved by the 63 major events in the center amounted to about AED 13 billion, while the economic value retained within the GDP of the Emirate of Dubai amounted to AED 7.4 billion.

Major events welcomed around 1.2 million visitors, 40% of whom were international visitors. The strong performance of the events, coupled with a 49 per cent year-on-year increase in international visitor numbers, reflects Dubai's prominent position as a leading global destination for major events.

The report pointed out that every dirham invested in the center's events and related services generated 7.4 times the value of Dubai's economy, which means that every AED 7 million spent directly on the events of the meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions sector generated AED 4.<> million in economic output for the economy as a whole.

Vision & Agenda

Helal Saeed Almarri, Director General of Dubai World Trade Centre Authority, said: "We work in line with the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, and the Dubai Economic Agenda (D33) launched by His Highness, with the aim of doubling Dubai's GDP over the next decade, and consolidating its position as one of the top three cities in the world.

Al Marri added: "The meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions sector has always been a key pillar of Dubai's economy, as it is an important driver of the business system in the region, and at the same time, it reflects the emirate's efforts to diversify sources of GDP."

"The Dubai World Trade Centre Economic Impact Assessment Report 2022 confirms the important role that business tourism plays as a key driver of economic growth and sustainable development, as Dubai continues to attract companies and talent from around the world, as the centre is an effective communication platform for collaboration, accelerating innovations, and showcasing new products and services in global markets," he added, pointing out that the continued positive impact of live events is an important indicator of the role of the events sector in supporting economic growth and achieving investment returns for all stakeholders.

Al Marri said: "Dubai is leading the way in shaping the future of business tourism, and we are working to promote economic growth in the coming years, and upgrade the meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions sector in Dubai, by continuing to invest in infrastructure, innovation and human resources, with a primary focus on sustainability."

Exceptional year

Al Marri concluded: "2022 has been an exceptional year for the meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions (MICE) sector, as it demonstrated Dubai's ability to continue to maintain its rapid growth in this transformative sector that demonstrated the recovery in the post-COVID-19 economy, which confirms our ability to deliver sustainable business value in a changing world."

"As we enter the second half of 2023, we will continue to strengthen DWTC's record of attracting high-profile global events and make Dubai's events sector a global platform for talent, knowledge and the economy of the future."

Socio-economic impact

The report estimates that direct revenues of AED 7.6 billion were generated through spending in related sectors that include leisure, accommodation and restaurants, retail and transport, and government services.

The report also estimated that events held at the Dubai World Trade Centre in 2022 supported more than 48,110 jobs, up 2% year-on-year, and contributed to a household income of AED 4.<> billion. Besides the promising financial implications of these statistics, the key importance of events lies in supporting a knowledge- and skills-based economy, creating a positive social and economic impact, as well as creating a digital future without borders.

26% growth in the number of major events

The number of major events (attracting more than 2000,26 participants) grew by 108% year-on-year, while the total direct economic output (GDP) across business services and sectors related to the meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions (MICE) sector doubled, growing by 9% year-on-year (AED 4.<> billion).

This growth contributes to DWTC's leadership.

AED 9921 visitor spend

Following the unparalleled success of Expo 2020 Dubai, which has cemented the emirate's position as a key destination for the global business community, Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC) continues to play a leading role in establishing Dubai as a global business hub and a leading destination for the meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions (MICE) sector, with international visitors accounting for 40 per cent of all visitors to major events in 2022, up 49 per cent year-on-year.

The importance of international visitors lies in their direct impact on Dubai's GDP, with spending per international visitor per event amounting to AED 9921,<>, which is six times more than the value of domestic visitors.

The highest spend for international visitors is linked to travel, accommodation and retail shopping expenses, as well as extended stay (for leisure) and international visitors taking travel companions.

Events that reflect economic diversification

Healthcare, Medicine & Science, Information Technology and Food, Hotels & Hospitality were the top three sectors with a total of 14 major events, collectively accounting for 57% (AED 4.3 billion) of the total value added of Dubai's economy.

Together, these sectors attracted 46% of the total participants in major events, equivalent to 535,<> participants.

The IT sector recorded a remarkable performance by attracting more than 180,1 visitors and achieving a total value added of AED 35.200 billion, while major events in the healthcare, medicine and science sectors welcomed about <>,<> visitors.

Together, major events achieved a record record total value added of AED 1.64 billion.

• AED 7.4 billion retained economic value in Dubai's economy, representing 57% of the total economic output of major events.