Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC), sees-off last year with a total of 63 consumer and entertainment, welcoming over one million visitors. A few ingredients of its success are, a diverse calendar of entertainment events, from theatrical performances and music festivals to consumer shows and sporting events and a solid business and trade exhibitions proposition. DWTC continues to play a role further diversifying Dubai’s events sector, positively contributing to the growth of tourism across the Emirate.
Ahmed Alkhaja, senior vice-president – Venues, DWTC said: 'The demand for multicultural attractions and family entertainment in the UAE has positively impacted the increase in domestic and international leisure tourism to Dubai. In addition to offering a world-renowned platform for the Mice industry, DWTC continues to broaden its consumer and entertainment event offerings to include a variety of home-grown and global events to its calendar, supporting Dubai’s tourism vision and goal to increase visitor footfall.'
Among non-trade events hosted at DWTC in 2016, 18 consumer events welcomed over 300,000 visitors and 45 live events attracted over 700,000 visitors. Highlights of the year included Cirque Du Soleil – Varekai, Russell Peters show, Disney Live, Ramadan Majlis, Dubai Sports World, Modhesh World, and more.
DWTC also premiered home-grown theatrical productions including the avant garde Al-Faris that foretold an unseen side of the UAE, with its rustic saga musical based on the poems of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, vice president and prime minister of the UAE and ruler of Dubai.
Featuring an international cast of 50 performers and musicians from 19 countries, Cirque Du Soleil – Varekai brought high-flying acrobatics and heart-racing acts to the UAE including the Flight of Icarus, Aerial Straps, Russian Swings and the Slippery Surface. The critically acclaimed production has impressed over 8 million people worldwide since it first premiered in Montreal in 2002 and since then, performed at more than 72 cities in 20 countries around the world.
Some 65,000 pop-culture enthusiasts got a chance to experience the world of science fiction at Middle East Film and Comic Con. The convention gave fans an opportunity to meet celebrities and artists, watch exclusive previews, purchase limited edition merchandise and take part in exciting competitions.
During Ramadan, DWTC welcomed over 22,000 guests to the spectacular Ramadan Majlis. The Majlis featured traditional Arabian cuisine within a lavish Arabesque setting, and also aired the Euros 2016 for fans to enjoy the games during their Suhour with friends and family. In addition, the annual Ramadan Night Market which saw ten fun-filled days of entertainment and shopping offers saw over 137,000 visitors.