Dubai

Dubai, a cosmopolitan city strategically located between Europe and Asia, offers one of the world’s best infrastructure for MICE. With more than 100 different airlines flying into Dubai and close to 60 million passengers passing through its airports in 2012, Dubai is internationally recognised as a major player in connecting the world. This is also apparent for the business traveller. Dubai is expected to almost double the number of business visitors entering its borders by the end of the decade; four million a year are anticipated by 2020.

When it comes to diversity of venues, Dubai has something for every occasion at various locations throughout the city, making the emirate a leading MICE destination. At the heart of this is the Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC), which is MENASA region’s largest MICE venue. In 2012 alone, DWTC’s calendar of events generated in excess of AED eight billion (US$ 2.22 billion) – a 25 per cent increase on the AED 6.5 billion (US$ 1.78 billion) contributed in 2011. The venue recorded 1.85 million visitors in 2012 out of which 1.5 million attended large-scale MICE events and 38 per cent of these were international travellers.

Another significant venue is the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre (DICEC), which lies at the heart of the Dubai World Trade Centre complex. DICEC can accommodate all manner of events for up to 12,000 delegates and has a spacious, multi-purpose hall seating up to 6,000 persons. The Centre made its global appearance in the UAE exhibition industry by hosting the 2003 IMF Annual General Meeting. DICEC is a multifaceted convention venue designed and equipped with latest technological equipments and state-of-the-art facilities. Part of DWTC, the center is conveniently located to fit the requirements of the MICE segment.

Some of the other prime spots for meetings include the Mall of the Emirates where Kempinski Hotel is located; BurJuman Arjaan by Rotana – Dubai which has seven multi-functional rooms holding up to 160 delegates; and Raffles Dubai in Wafi City which offers nine meeting rooms and a Grand Ballroom. Moreover, Dubai also offers a number of floating venues for meetings and events like Bateaux Dubai and Al Mansour Dhow. Bateaux Dubai, operated by JA Resorts and Hotels, boasts of flexible seating arrangements for up to 200 people for sit-down dinners or 300 guests for cocktail receptions.

The Radisson Blu Hotel Dubai Deira Creek’s Al Mansour Dhow is another floating venue that can cater up to 120 delegates. For meetings with a cultural spin, Dubai Community Theatre & Arts Centre (DUCTAC) at Mall of the Emirates enable planners to hire various rooms including the 14 studios at the Arts Centre, which are suitable for exhibitions and workshops, product launches, seminars or conference breakout rooms. Home to the world’s horse racing elite, Meydan Grandstand and Racecourse has a wealth of venues for meeting planners. One of the most popular choices among corporate bookers is the 4,500 capacity Rooftop Sky Bubble.

Places of interest

Dubai is one of the most modern and well kept cities in the world attracting both international business travellers and laid-back tourists. The Creek is a historic focal point in Dubai. It is a natural sea-water inlet which cuts through the centre of the city. An attractive way to view the Creek and the dhows is from an abra, a small water taxi which criss-crosses the Creek from the souks of Deira to those on the Bur Dubai side.

The old Bastakiya district with its narrow lanes and tall wind-towers offers a glimpse of old Dubai. To the east of Al Fahidi Fort is the largest concentration of traditional courtyard houses with wind towers. In the past, the city was famous for a mass of wind towers which lined the Creek on either side. The Dubai Museum, situated in Al Fahidi Fort, is another popular structure. Wonderland is a family fun park featuring a wide range of water attractions. Capable of accommodating up to 8,000 visitors at a time, Wonderland water rides include speed slides, surf hills, twister, wave runners and a Caribbean cruise.