Significant Milestone: DWTC Hospitality Division Hosts Over 1 Million Guests In 2023

Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC) has marked a significant milestone in 2023 by hosting over 1 million guests and managing 2,846 events, showcasing a remarkable year for its Hospitality business. These figures represent a 48% increase in the number of guests catered to and a 23% rise in the number of events handled year-on-year, underscoring DWTC's excellence and leadership in the regional catering and hospitality industry.

Mahir Julfar, Executive Vice President of Venue Operations at DWTC, expressed pride in the achievements of the year, highlighting the dedication and expertise of the hospitality team. With a focus on a wide array of events, including large-scale exhibitions, conferences, weddings, and concerts, the team's commitment to quality and service excellence has been pivotal in enhancing Dubai's status as a leading destination for events and hospitality.

DWTC's Hospitality division boasts a state-of-the-art kitchen facility, covering 3,650 square metres, which played a crucial role in serving more than 920,000 guests at various events within its venues. This contributed to a 48% increase in the number of guests catered to in 2023 compared to the previous year. The division's success extended beyond DWTC's own venues, with over 106,000 guests catered to at external events, marking a 45% increase year-on-year. The number of external events catered to also saw a significant rise, reaching 1,382 in 2023, a 44% increase from the prior year.

The year 2023 was notable for hosting prestigious events such as the Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, Dubai International Boat Show, Dubai Airshow, COP28, GITEX Global, Gulfood, Arab Health, and the Arabian Travel Market, among others. These events underscore DWTC's capability to cater to a diverse range of high-profile and complex gatherings.

In the arena of grand-scale and bespoke weddings, the DWTC Hospitality team catered to 72,520 wedding guests in 2023, showcasing a 143% increase from 2022. This achievement reinforces DWTC's position as the top choice for wedding catering in Dubai.

Additionally, DWTC's commitment to excellence was further demonstrated at the Emirates Salon Culinaire 2023, where the team won 17 medals, setting a new competition record. DWTC's Pastry Chef, Dwiyanti Cintaningrum, stood out by winning the 'Best Pastry Chef of the UAE' and 'Best Four-Plated Dessert’ titles, securing her participation in the 2024 IKA Culinary Olympics in Germany. Moreover, DWTC's Hospitality division was shortlisted as the 'Hospitality Company of the Year’ at the Arabian Business Achievement Awards 2024 and won the 'Outside Catering Team of the Year 2023’ at the Hozpitality F&B Excellence Awards.

This outstanding performance across various metrics not only illustrates DWTC's pivotal role in Dubai's event industry but also highlights the organization's dedication to pushing the limits of hospitality to provide memorable experiences. With a capacity to cater to up to 40,000 guests per day, DWTC's Hospitality business continues to contribute significantly to the region's global reputation as a premier destination for both events and hospitality.