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29 March 2024

DWTC visitor volume crosses 630,000 in first half

Gulfood 2010 records an impressive 22% growth in visitor traffic over 2009, with a total of 55,379 trade visitors from over 153 countries attending. (Supplied)

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By Staff

Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC), the region’s leading venue operator and events organiser, has reported 13 per cent increase in visitor volumes with traffic crossing 630,000 in the first half of 2010 across exhibitions, conventions and conferences held at DWTC venues.

“This increase in attendance is a buoyant indicator of renewed global confidence in Dubai as the international destination for regional trade,” said a statement.

Hosting nearly 22,000 companies from over 85 countries as part of the 59 exhibitions and conferences held in just the first half of the year, DWTC successfully delivered the regional networking platform for the international business community, reinforcing the role of the event industry as a key contributor to Dubai’s economy, the statement said.

The year 2010 has so far showcased several new and diverse exhibitions and congresses that have complemented the blockbuster mega-shows like Arab Health and Gulfood, in attracting high quality visitor traffic to yield maximum returns for the exhibiting companies.

“Our venues have continued to attract the ideal profile and scale of top-tier visitors from the Middle East, North Africa, CIS and the Indian Sub-Continent, driving tangible returns on investment for exhibiting companies - consequently enabling our organisers to grow their shows into truly global sector leaders,” said Helal Saeed Almarri, CEO, Dubai World Trade Centre.

January through June 2010 saw DWTC attract an overwhelming 639,170 visitors to events at its venues, making it well positioned to exceed last year’s annual 1.2 million turnout by year end despite continuing pressure in global markets.  As part of its strategic mandate to support sectors vital to Dubai’s economy, DWTC’s calendar of events in the first half of the year delivered large scale and niche events within healthcare, food, trade manufacturing, tourism, education, leisure & maritime among others. Growth has been consistent across several key sectors as exhibitions across diverse industry profiles have demonstrated strong performance compared to the same period last year.

The outlook for the exhibitions and events industry in Dubai for the remainder of 2010 and heading into 2011 continues to stay positive, as DWTC moves forward with a strong calendar line up led by the 30th Anniversary of GITEX Technology Week, anticipated to be the largest and most influential edition in the show’s history. 

In healthcare alone, DWTC has hosted a total of 12 major shows in 2010 so far, attracting over 133,000 visitors and over 5,000 of the world’s leading healthcare manufacturers, wholesalers and distributors to Dubai. Arab Health 2010 the largest healthcare exhibition in the Middle East and the second largest in the world grew by 20 percent in size to occupy the entire exhibition space at the Dubai International Convention & Exhibition Centre (DICEC), including the 25,000 sq.m provided by the new Sheikh Saeed halls. With a record 66,000 participating professional visitors and delegates, and over 2,600 exhibitors from 58 countries, this blockbuster show delivered a 20 percent increase in exhibitor and visitor volumes over 2009 for the regional Health Care sector.

Gulfood 2010 re-affirmed its position as the region’s mega event for the food and hospitality sector, recording an impressive 22 percent growth in visitor traffic over 2009. A total of 55,379 trade visitors from the food & beverage manufacturing and catering service industries from over 153 countries attended the four-day culinary showcase, making Gulfood one of the world’s most successful food shows, delivering a must-attend regional  platform for the 3,500 participating companies to network and exhibit the latest innovations within this sector

The 18th Dubai International Boat Show, held in March 2010, saw 15 Global launches and 25 Regional Premiers, highlighting the importance of the Show to the global leisure marine industry. Over 700 companies participated and the event enabled multi-million dollars in sales, indicating rising consumer confidence and improved outlook for luxury consumption within the region.

To drive increased regional investment opportunities in line with sector specific trends, DWTC has continuously sought to bring in new show profiles to Dubai.  New additions to the first half of 2010 calendar included exhibitions and congresses within aviation, ICT, trade and healthcare, drawing over 90,000 new visitors. Among the new shows hosted so far this year were the Aerospace Defence and Training Show (ADTS), the China Homelife Show, Commercial Vehicles Middle East Show, the Obstetrics and Gynaecology Exhibition and Conference, the Dubai International Peace Convention and Microsoft Tech-Ed.

In addition, Dubai’s recently announced wins of eight new Global Congresses will be hosted by DWTC during 2011 and 2012, including the International Public Transport Congress, the International Bar Association Congress, the World Diabetes Congress and the World Cardiology Congress – the last of which was against powerhouses like Singapore, Kyoto and Capetown - establishing DWTC as a leading international congress venue and asserting Dubai’s reputation as a global business tourism destination.

Following its strong performance in 2009, DWTC’s hospitality team also achieved outstanding results during this half year reporting period - catering close to half a million guests across a number of events, including an impressive 179 weddings held from January to June 2010 - over 20 percent increase from 2009.