Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC) has set a new benchmark in the hospitality industry with a record-breaking year in 2023. The renowned venue catered to over 1 million guests across 2,846 events, marking a significant increase in both guests and events compared to the previous year.
Mahir Julfar, Executive Vice President of Venue Operations at Dubai World Trade Centre, expressed his pride in the achievements of the Hospitality business in 2023. He highlighted the dedication and expertise of the hospitality team in delivering exceptional catering solutions for events of all scales, from exhibitions and conferences to weddings, gala dinners, banquets, concerts, and more. Julfar emphasized DWTC’s commitment to setting new standards and pushing boundaries to enhance Dubai’s reputation as a premier destination for events and hospitality.
One of the key factors contributing to DWTC’s success is its state-of-the-art kitchen facility, which spans 3,650 square meters and allows for the delivery of fresh, high-quality cuisine entirely in-house. In 2023, the Hospitality division catered to more than 920,000 guests at events held within DWTC’s venues, representing a 48 percent increase from the previous year. The division also saw significant growth in catering for external events, with over 106,000 guests served at events outside of DWTC’s venues, a 45 percent increase from the previous year.
DWTC’s impressive portfolio of events in 2023 included prestigious gatherings such as the Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, Dubai International Boat Show, Dubai Airshow, COP28, GITEX Global, Gulfood, Arab Health, and Arabian Travel Market. The venue’s expertise in grand-scale and bespoke weddings was also highlighted, with the Hospitality team catering to 72,520 wedding guests in 2023, a remarkable 143 percent increase from the previous year.
The success of DWTC’s Hospitality business was further recognized through its achievements at various culinary competitions and awards ceremonies. The team’s stellar performance at the Emirates Salon Culinaire 2023 resulted in 17 medals, including 8 golds and the title of ‘Best Individual Establishment in the UAE’. Pastry Chef Dwiyanti Cintaningrum also made a mark by winning the ‘Best Pastry Chef of the UAE’ and ‘Best Four-Plated Dessert’ titles, earning a spot at the prestigious 2024 IKA Culinary Olympics in Germany.
In addition to these accolades, DWTC’s Hospitality division was shortlisted as the ‘Hospitality Company of the Year’ at the 2024 Arabian Business Achievement Awards and received the ‘Outside Catering Team of the Year 2023’ award at the 2024 Hozpitality F&B Excellence Awards.
Overall, DWTC’s record-breaking year in 2023 showcases its unwavering commitment to excellence in hospitality and its position as a leader in the events industry. With a focus on delivering exceptional experiences and pushing boundaries, DWTC continues to elevate Dubai’s global reputation as a premier destination for events and hospitality.