About the City

Centrally positioned between East and West, Dubai is home to more than 200 nationalities speaking more than 140 languages. It is one of the world’s leading business hubs and tourist destinations, welcoming international visitors all year round. Its unique power to convene – a power that is an ingrained part of its history and culture – is reflected in its world-class business events offering. Dubai welcomed 19.59 million international overnight visitors in 2025, marking its third consecutive record-breaking tourism year.

Dubai distinguishes itself as a unique city in a number of different respects: It offers extensive global reach through Dubai International Airport, which welcomed a record 95.2 million passengers in 2025 and ranked first worldwide for international passenger traffic for the 12th consecutive year. In H1 2026, DXB handled 31.5 million passengers; at the end of June, almost 50 international airlines linked the airport to 217 destinations in 99 countries. Its ability to bring together industries, institutions and people from around the world is reflected in its continually expanding business events offering.

Dubai continues to invest in long-term connectivity. Al Maktoum International Airport (DWC) is undergoing an AED 128 billion expansion, with capacity planned to reach 150 million passengers by 2032 and an ultimate capacity of 260 million annually. The AED 20.5 billion Dubai Metro Blue Line will add 30km of track and 14 stations, improving links across key residential, commercial and tourism districts.

Dubai’s multicultural population and globally connected business ecosystem have helped establish the city as a platform for entrepreneurship, investment, knowledge exchange and international collaboration. Aligned with the Dubai Economic Agenda D33, the city aims to double the size of its economy by 2033 and consolidate its position among the world’s top three urban economies. Dubai’s economy reached AED 937billion in 2025; in Q1 2026, GDP reached AED 232 billion, expanding by 2.4% year-on-year. DIFC had 10,018 active registered companies at end-H1 2026, representing 30% organic growth over 12 months. Its ecosystem included 1,134 regulated financial services firms and 1,933 AI, FinTech and innovation companies.

Dubai caters to a broad range of visitors, event formats and budgets through a hospitality portfolio comprising 154,264 rooms across 827 hotel establishments at end-2025. The sector recorded an average occupancy rate of 80.7% in 2025, with accommodation ranging from luxury resorts and business hotels to hotel apartments and value-led options.

Six Senses The Palm, Dubai brings 61 suites and 172 private residences to Palm Jumeirah’s West Crescent, with the brand offering reservations for stays from 1 September 2026. Investment also extends to existing assets, including the previously announced renovation programme at JW Marriott Marquis and planned restoration of Jumeirah Burj Al Arab. The wider pipeline includes Baccarat Hotel and Residences Downtown Dubai, Kimpton Business Bay Canal Waterfront Dubai, Aman Dubai and Janu Dubai DIFC; individual opening dates should be confirmed before publication.

Dubai’s dining landscape includes 119 restaurants across 35 cuisines in the MICHELIN Guide Dubai 2025, including 19 starred restaurants and 22 Bib Gourmand establishments.

Dubai’s two complementary major event venues, DWTC and Dubai Exhibition Centre at Expo City Dubai, support a broad calendar of exhibitions and conferences. DEC’s completed Phase 1 expansion provides 140,000 sqm of event space and capacity for 50,000 visitors per day. Phase 2 targets 160,000 sqm by end-2028, with the final masterplan targeting 180,000 sqm by 2031. In 2025, DWTC’s venues welcomed 2.97 million attendees across 401 events.

When planners hold their event in Dubai, their delegates can also enjoy an unlimited range of recreational options at the budget that suits them. They can choose from world-class golf courses, sailing, scuba diving and deep-sea fishing, pristine beaches and dramatic desert landscapes, world-class shopping malls – and even an indoor real snow ski slope.

Bringing a conference, congress, meeting or incentive to Dubai also means being able to tap into a well-developed business events ecosystem, with expertise around the city and free, unbiased support available through Dubai Business Events, the city’s official convention bureau.