Dubai to benefit from major surge in business event wins

Dubai further consolidated its status as a hub for international business events in 2023, with the city winning a record 349 bids to host major conferences, meetings and programmes.

This marks a 49 per cent increase in successful bids compared to 2022, according to the emirate's official convention bureau, Dubai Business Events (DBE).

These new events that were secured in 2023 are set to attract over 191,000 international delegates. While some of these already took place last year, others are to be held over the coming years.

Bidding activity and success have continued to accelerate since the COVID-19 pandemic, with the number of bid wins in 2023 exceeding the previous record of 295 bids registered in 2019.

"To keep the momentum going, we have charted ambitious plans for the year ahead and are working closely with all stakeholders – from hotels and event organisers to 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," said Ahmed Al Khaja, CEO of Dubai Festivals and Retail Establishment.