Five ways DWTC Hospitality delivered a record 1.28 million guests in 2025
Major exhibitions and global events drove unprecedented catering growth
DUBAI – Dubai World Trade Centre’s hospitality division has delivered its strongest performance to date, serving 1.28 million guests across 2,578 events in 2025, according to its latest annual results.
The figures represent a sharp 37 per cent rise from 930,000 guests in 2024, underscoring the accelerating pace of Dubai’s events and business tourism sectors.
Operating across a diverse portfolio of venues and event formats, DWTC Hospitality’s growth reflects its ability to cater to large-scale international exhibitions, high-level conferences, and bespoke private occasions with consistent service delivery. The division’s footprint spans flagship locations such as Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre, Dubai Exhibition Centre, and Jafza One Convention Centre, alongside off-site and private venues across the United Arab Emirates.
Exhibition catering doubles amid mega event expansion
Exhibition catering emerged as the standout growth driver in 2025, with guest numbers exceeding 240,000, more than doubling from 120,000 recorded the previous year. The surge was largely attributed to the expansion of flagship exhibitions including Gulfood, World Health Expo Dubai, Arabian Travel Market, and GITEX Global.
These high-profile events attracted international audiences at scale, requiring precision-driven catering operations capable of serving thousands daily. Beyond the UAE, DWTC Hospitality also extended its reach to global markets, supporting GITEX Africa in Morocco. This international engagement highlights the division’s ability to deliver consistent quality across borders while adapting to varied operational environments.
Conferences and business meetings reach new heights
The conferences, associations and business meetings segment also recorded strong growth, with more than 123,000 attendees served in 2025. The figures reflect Dubai’s increasing appeal as a global hub for corporate gatherings and industry forums.
DWTC Hospitality’s role in this segment extends beyond catering, encompassing end-to-end event support tailored to the standards of international organisations. The rising demand for premium, large-scale conference services has further reinforced the division’s position within Dubai’s expanding knowledge economy and business events ecosystem.
Corporate and private events maintain strong momentum
Corporate and private events remained a cornerstone of DWTC Hospitality’s operations, accounting for more than 600,000 guests in 2025, up from 400,000 the previous year. The segment includes a wide range of events, from corporate functions and gala dinners to private celebrations.
Weddings continued to represent a key growth area, with 56,554 guests served. The division’s ability to balance high-volume catering with personalised service offerings has enabled it to maintain momentum across both large corporate engagements and tailored private experiences.
Expanding venue portfolio supports rising demand
The expansion and utilisation of multiple venues played a critical role in accommodating the growing events calendar. Combined, Dubai Exhibition Centre and Jafza One Convention Centre catered to more than 80,000 guests in 2025.
This multi-venue strategy allows DWTC Hospitality to manage simultaneous events while maintaining service standards across locations. The ongoing development of infrastructure, including the expansion of Dubai Exhibition Centre, is expected to further strengthen capacity for future mega events.
Off-site catering sees steady year-on-year growth
Off-site operations continued to deliver consistent gains, with external catering increasing by 12 percent to serve more than 160,000 guests across 1,211 events. This segment reflects growing demand for catering services beyond traditional venues.
DWTC Hospitality supported a range of high-profile events, including the Dubai International Boat Show, Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, Dubai World Cup, and MEBAA Show. Additional engagements at Ain Dubai further illustrate the division’s versatility in delivering services across diverse environments.