Dubai's Mice industry signs on 90 new events in H1

Visitors attend the Automechanika show in Dubai. Conferences attract several business tourists to the city.

Ninety bids submitted by Dubai to host business events in the first half of 2017 have been successful, announced Dubai Business Events (DBE), the city's official convention bureau.

The events secured since January, including conferences, exhibitions, meetings and incentive trips, are poised to attract over 51,636 delegates from around the world, resulting in an expected economic impact of approximately Dh375 million.

Issam Kazim, CEO of Dubai Corporation for Tourism and Commerce Marketing, said: "Dubai has grown tremendously to become a leading destination for international business events. We recognise the significance of the business events industry and acknowledge the various growth facets each event brings to the city. Not only do they accelerate our journey towards becoming a knowledge-sharing economy, but business events are also major contributors towards our goal of welcoming 20 million visitors each year by 2020."

In the first six months, Dubai Business Events won 97 pitches to host business events in the city, and is currently awaiting verdict on 97 more that have been submitted. Key wins include: Baby Care Annual Incentive (2018), World Conference on Desalination and Water Re-Use (2019), and Congress of the International Association for Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Allied Professions (2022).

Dubai Business Events has ramped up efforts to highlight the city's business events offering to international audiences. DBE representatives have attended over 50 trade events in the first half of the year, interacting with over 4,500 business events buyers and planners.

- business@khaleejtimes.com