Dubai secures record number of business events in 2023
Building on the global success of Expo 2020 and the COP28 Climate Change Conference, Dubai continues to enhance its reputation as one of the world’s premier major events hubs, with the city winning a record 349 bids to host meetings, incentives, conferences and events (MICE) in 2023.
The result caps a stellar year for the city’s events sector, after Dubai was named the top meeting and MICE destination in the Middle East by Cvent, as well as the Middle East's Leading Meetings & Conference Destination at the World Travel Awards.
Best ever year
According to official data published by the Dubai Business Events (DBE), the city's official convention bureau, the 349 bids marked a 49% increase on the number secured in 2022 and also compared favourably with the 249 events secured in 2019, prior to the COVID-19 pandemic.
DBE forecasts the events will together draw more than 191,000 international delegates to Dubai in the coming years, while also playing “a vital role in wider tourism and economic development, in line with the priorities of the Dubai Economic Agenda D33,” commented Ahmed Al Khaja, CEO of Dubai Festivals and Retail Establishment (DFRE).
All stakeholders to benefit from growth
"Business events have consistently proved to be an important catalyst for the city's development, driving knowledge growth and contributing [to] the evolution of key sectors and industries. Dubai's success in securing major international conferences, congresses, meetings and incentives in 2023 was a reward for the robust efforts of all stakeholders across the public and private sectors,” Al Khaja said.
“[These] events… will bring business leaders, innovators and changemakers together in Dubai, with the whole city benefitting from our fast-growing knowledge economy, further contributing to our collective momentum.”
Al Khaja added DFRE planned to work closely with stakeholders ranging from hoteliers and event organisers to attractions and venues, “to attract the biggest and most prestigious events and congresses to the city and raise the profile of Dubai as a year-round global business events destination”.