The UAE is experiencing a surge in exhibitions and conferences, which is Boosting the tourism in the UAE.
Last week events reinforced the tourism in the UAE, which by return strengthened the UAE position as a leading global destination for business and leisure tourism.
Exhibitions and conferences
Abu Dhabi, hosted the “UMEX” and “SIMTEX” exhibitions and conferences on unmanned systems and simulation and training, respectively.
The events attracted over 214 companies from 35 countries.
While the “World of Coffee 2024” exhibition in Dubai attracted over 13,000 visitors, up 30% from the previous year.
The event brought together farmers, traders, manufacturers and distributors.
In addition to small and medium-sized enterprises, cafes, roasters, hotels, coffee lovers, and baristas from 51 countries.
The “Ekars” exhibition in Sharjah concluded with real estate deals worth over AED 1.4 billion.
This event attracted a large number of visitors, including citizens, residents, investors, business people, and real estate institutions from inside and outside the UAE.
Leading The Market
Wego, a travel and booking services company, expects business tourism in the UAE to continue its strong momentum in 2023.
Moreover, Wego said that business tourism in the UAE and KSA currently accounts for the largest share of the Middle East market.
Which is one of the fastest-growing regions in the world for this sector.
According to the World Travel & Tourism Council, the value of business tourism spending by international and domestic tourists in the UAE increased by 6.5% in 2022, to AED 33.7 billion from AED 31.6 billion in 2021.
349 wins
Dubai won 349 bids to host business events and conferences in 2023, an increase of 49% from 2022.
This is a new achievement for the city, and is the result of the efforts of Dubai Business Events, the official office for attracting events and conferences in Dubai.
While some of these events were held last year, many of the events will take place in the coming years, up to 2029.
“We love our sky”
The General Civil Aviation Authority launched a new version of “We love our sky” campaign, the largest national awareness campaign for the UAE civil aviation sector.
Moreover, the campaign runs for 12 months and carries the slogan “Discover the essence of aviation.”
And it aims to raise public awareness of various aspects of civil aviation.
Including safety and security regulations at airports and on board aircraft.
As well as focusing on job opportunities in the aviation sector.
International companies display the latest drones at the UMEX and SimTEX 2024 exhibitions pic.twitter.com/ebdjdUYKNT
— UAE Voice (@uae_voiceeng) January 24, 2024
Yas Island
Yas Island in Abu Dhabi recorded its highest-ever levels of performance in 2023.
This is in terms of visitor numbers and hotel occupancy rates.
The number of visitors to the island increased by 88% compared to 2022.
While hotel occupancy rates averaged 80%.
Over the summer, visits to the island’s theme parks increased by 85%, while average hotel occupancy rates reached 90%.
In this context, Peter van der Does, CEO and Vice President of the International Association of Destinations and Cities (ICCA) for Europe, the Middle East and Africa, confirmed that visitor spending in UAE cities and entertainment facilities reached over $4 billion (AED 14.7 billion) in 2022 alone.
This figure is expected to have grown significantly in 2023, according to preliminary statistics.
Hatta shines with distinctive features emerging as an inspiring hub for projects and ambitious entrepreneurs
With the guidance of visionary leadership Hatta’s Trade Council & the Mohammed Bin Rashid Foundation for Small and Medium Enterprises support youth and promising projects pic.twitter.com/Oy7qBYefNU
— UAE Voice (@uae_voiceeng) January 23, 2024
National carriers
Wizz Air Group plans to increase its global fleet by 35 aircraft in 2023.
In order to meet the growing demand for air travel, especially low-cost flights.
Joseph Varadi, CEO of the group said that many of the new aircraft will enter service in the coming period.
The company will take delivery of more than 300 new aircraft over the next six years, bringing its fleet to over 500 by 2030.
Air Arabia announced that it will launch direct flights from Sharjah to the Greek capital Athens starting June 28, 2024.
The new service will operate four times a week.
And it will provide passengers with a direct air travel option between the two historic cities.
Emirates has announced plans to operate a fifth weekly flight on Dubai-Rio de Janeiro-Buenos Aires route, starting December 7, 2024.
Food Tourism in the UAE
Dubai is a leading global destination for food tourism, with a diverse range of restaurants and cuisines to offer.
According to the Department of Economy and Tourism in Dubai, the number of restaurants visitors increased by 61% in 2023.
While the percentage of satisfied international visitors increased from 54% in 2022 to 66% in 2023.
This growth is attributed to a number of factors, including:
- The diversity of restaurants and cuisines: Dubai offers a wide variety of restaurants.
Which serve international and local dishes, catering to the needs of all visitors. - The high quality of service: Restaurants in Dubai maintain a high level of service and quality, ensuring a memorable dining experience for visitors.
- Competitive prices: Dubai’s restaurants are known for their competitive prices, making it an affordable destination for tourists of all budgets.
Heritage and Cultural Festivals
The UAE hosts a number of heritage and cultural festivals that contribute to promoting cultural tourism in the country.
This week saw the conclusion of the 25th Sharjah Biennial Islamic Arts Festival.
Which spanned 40 days with international artist participation.
The festival presented a diverse array of artistic and cultural events.
Including art exhibitions, musical performances, theatrical shows, and also art workshops.
In addition, it attracted over 100,000 visitors from around the world.
In Abu Dhabi, Sheikh Zayed Festival and Al Hosn Festival continue, captivating large audiences and offering a captivating journey through the region’s rich history.
Sheikh Zayed Festival showcases a multitude of heritage and cultural events.
Including exhibitions, artistic performances, seminars, and sporting events.
It has also attracted over 2 million visitors from across the globe.
Al Hosn Festival focuses on the cultural and historical heritage of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi.
Moreover, it features various heritage and cultural events, including exhibitions, artistic performances, and sporting activities.
The festival has drawn over 1.5 million visitors from around the world.
According to the variety of events and offered services, the tourism in the UAE will continue to grow by 2024.
Mentioning that the UAE tourist attractions are leading on both international and national levels.
In case you are planning to visit UAE this year .. don’t miss this chance …
