DWTC welcomes nearly 2 million visitors

Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC) welcomed nearly 2 million visitors last year as it recorded strong performances across its businesses.

The venue hosted 244 exhibitions and events, which is a 39 per cent growth compared to 2021 while the number of visitors increased by 29 per cent. 

It attracted over 37,000 exhibiting companies in 2022 (50% increase from 2021), of which 72 per cent were international.

"DWTC’s 2022 results are an unequivocal endorsement of the emirate’s efforts in driving post-pandemic economic recovery and leveraging opportunity, delivered through strategic collaborative stakeholder commitment, across all sectors of the economy," said Helal Saeed Almarri, Director General of DWTC.

.@DWTCOfficial, the regional epicentre of trade and business has announced 2022 annual results with strong performances across its businesses.

Visitors
1.98 million
Up 29%
-
Exhibitions and events
244
Up 39%
-
Exhibitors
37,000
Up 50% https://t.co/3tGh0dhwp8 pic.twitter.com/aOyOQbIC0z

— Dubai Media Office (@DXBMediaOffice) March 13, 2023

Solid growth for DWTC owned exhibitions and events

DWTC’s own portfolio of exhibitions and events, which includes flagship events GITEX Global and Gulfood, attracted 337,000 visitors, registering 20% annual growth while the combined portfolio of events attracted 12,000 exhibiting companies, an increase of 35%.

Building on its formidable record of organising industry-leading events that have helped position both the UAE and the region as a top-ranked global destination for major international business events, DWTC also launched KAOUN International.

The overseas market-focused international events company is set to deliver the inaugural editions of Saudi Food Show and GITEX Africa in 2023.

Top performing sectors in 2022

Healthcare, medical and scientific was the top-performing sector with 17 events (compared to 12 events in 2021) and attracted 202,000 participants, led by a duo of region-leading healthcare exhibitions: Arab Health and AEEDC.

Information Technology sector, grew from six events in 2021 to 10 events in 2022, attracting 184,000 attendees, which represented a 22% YoY growth, led by GITEX Global and its co-located events.

The Food and Beverage Trade sector, led by Gulfood, hosted a total of eight events and registered 160,000 participants, an increase of 18% over 2021.

Driven by Automechanika, the Automotive and Transport sector saw seven events attracting 69,000 participants, while the Big 5 was the top performing exhibition within the Building, Construction and Facility Management sector, welcoming over 66,000 visitors.

DXB Live records impressive business growth

DXB Live, DWTC’s experiential agency, marked its foray into new regional and international markets including Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, and Germany.

It provided services to over 400 events and was the main contractor for over 50 exhibitions including GITEX Global, Light Middle East, Beauty world and Gulfood.

In addition, DXB Live, in partnership with World of Coffee Association, organised and delivered the World of Coffee exhibition.

DWTC Free Zone

Dubai World Trade Centre Authority (DWTCA) Free Zone doubled in size, issuing 926 new licences in 2022, while grade-A commercial One Central, marked its highest occupancy at 75% since opening.

2022 also saw the successful opening of the 5-star flagship 25 Hours Hotel at One Central with its highly successful F&B concepts complementing the lively mix of new restaurants and cafes in the community.