A destination like no other, this fascinating city on the Arabian Peninsula entices groups with its outsize attractions, cutting-edge technology and all things luxurious and breathtaking.

Yet even while Dubai sprints into the future, it also preserves its past and gives groups the opportunity to immerse themselves in a rich history and culture. Inspired by the palaces of 18th-century Europe, the 391-room Raffles The Palm Dubai offers carefully curated experiences on a private beach on the Arabian Gulf.

Said to be the world's largest and most-visited retail and entertainment destination, the Dubai Mall is home to more than 1,300 stores and 200 food-and-beverage outlets.

A destination like no other, this fascinating city on the Arabian Peninsula entices groups with its outsize attractions, cutting-edge technology and all things luxurious and breathtaking. Yet even while Dubai sprints into the future, it also preserves its past and gives groups the opportunity to immerse themselves in a rich history and culture.

Proud to have hosted COP28, the United Nations Climate Change Conference in 2023, Dubai Exhibition Centre (DEC) is a state-of-the-art venue situated within Expo City Dubai. This major new district was built with a focus on sustainability and is studded with educational, cultural, retail and entertainment offerings.

Pioneering initiatives include a cloud-technology platform that monitors energy consumption and the efficiency of power, light, water and climate controls. The Garden in the Sky is a spectacular observation tower that sits alongside leisure facilities, dining options, event venues and cycling tracks, jogging paths, parks and gardens.

Now an ambitious AED10 billion (more than £2 billion) expansion plan is underway, which will transform DEC into the region’s largest indoor events venue and serve as a home for mega exhibitions. Phase one of the project will see the venue’s capacity reach 140,000 sqm of exhibition space by 2026, enabling a daily visitor capacity of 50,000 people.

Phase 2 is expected to be completed by 2028 and will expand the total exhibition space to nearly 160,000 sqm while the final phase, expected to be completed by 2031, will increase the total indoor exhibition space to 180,000 sqm. It will then offer 26 halls on a single contiguous level that spans 1.2 kms, accommodating one mega event or up to 20 simultaneous smaller events. The final phase will include a 300+ key hotel, retail outlets, commercial offices and an industrial kitchen.

This expansion will enable Dubai to double the number of large-scale events hosted annually. The city won an impressive 437 bids in 2024.

In the first half of 2025, Dubai Business Events secured 249 international event bids representing a 29 per cent increase on the same period last year. They are expected to attract more than 127,000 delegates to prestigious international conferences, congresses and incentive meetings extending into 2029.

Spanning a wide range of sectors and professions, this achievement underscores the importance of business events to the Dubai Economic Agenda D33, which aims to double the size of Dubai’s economy over the decade leading up to 2033, and reinforces its position among the world’s top three cities to visit, live and work in. Dubai Business Events (DBE), part of Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism and the city’s official convention bureau, worked with stakeholders and industry experts including more than 370 ambassadors to secure more than 225 conferences.

Further global recognition for Dubai’s status as a leading business events hub include ranking #1 global destination for Greenfield FDI, ranking #1 city worldwide for average delegate attendance by ICCA and the #1 meetings destination in the MEA by Cvent. Dubai continues to set the standard for business events infrastructure and impact. 

In 2024 Dubai welcomed 18.72 million overnight visitors, a 9 per cent year-on-year increase that surpassed the previous record of 17.15 million in 2023.

Proud to have hosted COP28, the United Nations Climate Change Conference in 2023, Dubai Exhibition Centre (DEC) is a state-of-the-art venue situated within Expo City Dubai. This major new district was built with a focus on sustainability and is studded with educational, cultural, retail and entertainment offerings.

Pioneering initiatives include a cloud-technology platform that monitors energy consumption and the efficiency of power, light, water and climate controls. The Garden in the Sky is a spectacular observation tower that sits alongside leisure facilities, dining options, event venues and cycling tracks, jogging paths, parks and gardens.

Now an ambitious AED10 billion (more than £2 billion) expansion plan is underway, which will transform DEC into the region’s largest indoor events venue and serve as a home for mega exhibitions. Phase one of the project will see the venue’s capacity reach 140,000 sqm of exhibition space by 2026, enabling a daily visitor capacity of 50,000 people.

Phase 2 is expected to be completed by 2028 and will expand the total exhibition space to nearly 160,000 sqm while the final phase, expected to be completed by 2031, will increase the total indoor exhibition space to 180,000 sqm. It will then offer 26 halls on a single contiguous level that spans 1.2 kms, accommodating one mega event or up to 20 simultaneous smaller events.

The final phase will include a 300+ key hotel, retail outlets, commercial offices and an industrial kitchen. This expansion will enable Dubai to double the number of large-scale events hosted annually.

The city won an impressive 437 bids in 2024. In the first half of 2025, Dubai Business Events secured 249 international event bids representing a 29 per cent increase on the same period last year. They are expected to attract more than 127,000 delegates to prestigious international conferences, congresses and incentive meetings extending into 2029.

Spanning a wide range of sectors and professions, this achievement underscores the importance of business events to the Dubai Economic Agenda D33, which aims to double the size of Dubai’s economy over the decade leading up to 2033, and reinforces its position among the world’s top three cities to visit, live and work in. Dubai Business Events (DBE), part of Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism and the city’s official convention bureau, worked with stakeholders and industry experts including more than 370 ambassadors to secure more than 225 conferences.

Further global recognition for Dubai’s status as a leading business events hub include ranking #1 global destination for Greenfield FDI, ranking #1 city worldwide for average delegate attendance by ICCA and the #1 meetings destination in the MEA by Cvent. Dubai continues to set the standard for business events infrastructure and impact. 

In 2024 Dubai welcomed 18.72 million overnight visitors, a 9 per cent year-on-year increase that surpassed the previous record of 17.15 million in 2023. Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre: this 120,000 sqm venue is the largest dedicated events space in the region and a part of the Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC) complex.

Located in the heart of the city, it is home to most of Dubai’s major exhibitions and trade shows, as well as a steady calendar of international conferences and congresses. Dubai Exhibition Centre: part of the Expo 2020 legacy and located within Expo City Dubai – now designated a Carbon Neutral venue – DEC’s substantial 45,000 sqm exhibition space is spread across two campuses and includes a theatre, auditorium, several multipurpose halls, four suites and 24 meeting rooms.

One of the main venues for COP 28, the district boasts a number of other unique meeting spaces. Dubai International Airport (DXB) welcomed 90.4 million guests in 2024, retaining its title as the world’s busiest airport for international traffic.

Work has begun on the construction of a new AED128 billion passenger terminal, which will be the largest in the world when completed. Able to handle 260 million passengers annually, it will be five times the size of the current Dubai International Airport, whose operations will be transferred in the coming years.

It will have 400 aircraft gates and five parallel runways. The first phase is expected to be operational within 10 years and accommodate up to 150 million passengers annually.

Meeting & event venues (New & coming soon to Dubai):

 

  • His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, vice president and prime minister of the UAE and ruler of Dubai, launched the Dubai Economic Agenda D33 with the ambitious goals of doubling the size of Dubai's economy over the next decade and consolidating its position among the top three global cities. One year in, the initiative includes 100 transformative projects, with economic targets of £7 trillion over the next 10 years, doubling foreign trade and adding 400 cities as key trading partners. It aims to accelerate growth by investing in human development, skillsets and advanced technology, as well as consolidating Dubai’s global competitiveness, innovation and knowledge-based economy. The programme will invest in enhancing the advantages gained from Dubai’s strategic location and its advanced infrastructure to raise the city’s status as a preferred destination for major international companies and investments.
  • Dubai offers an impressive 150,000 hotel rooms across more than 800 establishments.
  • Recently opened, the One&Only One Za’abeel is the first urban resort from Kerzner International and promises to set a benchmark for ultra-luxury hospitality. Its dual skyscrapers are dramatically intersected by the world’s longest cantilever, The Link – a futuristic boulevard floating 100 metres above the street boasting wonderful skyline views and the UAE’s longest suspended infinity pool. The hotel’s spacious rooms are among the largest in Dubai and the collection of corner suites feature additional themed amenities. The Urban Suite, for instance, includes a state-of-the-art meeting space. The hotel also offers two ballrooms and six meeting rooms.
  • In the same building Kerzner International has also opened its first SIRO hotel. SIRO One Za’abeel is focused on fitness and recovery in an entirely new concept that combines transformative wellness experiences, an integrated digital strategy and personalised guidance from wellness experts. The aim is to optimise physical and mental wellbeing through a fusion of science and technology across five pillars: nutrition, fitness, sleep, recovery and mindfulness. New in the happening smart district Uptown Dubai, close to Expo City, the
  • SO/Uptown Dubai is a soaring city urban resort offering 188 bedrooms, excellent dining and breathtaking views. Located within the 340m high, diamond-inspired Uptown Tower, designed by internationally-renowned architects Adrian Smith and Gordon Gill, it offers high ceilings and innovative design. Its fully-equipped event facilities include an elegant ballroom accommodating up to 1,000 guests.
  • The vibrant Creek Harbour area has seen many new hotels open or about to come on stream along its six km promenade. The Address Grand Creek Harbour opened in 2022. The first five-star resort to open on this waterfront, it offers views of old Dubai on one side and the extraordinary skyline of new Dubai on the other. With four stylish meeting rooms for 12-30 guests and a glorious Luma Pool Lounge for outdoor events for up to 250, it offers 223 elegant bedrooms. The relaxed and contemporary-style, 99-room Vida Creek Beach has just opened overlooking the newly-constructed Crystal Lagoon with a beach and state-of-the-art wave system. Opening soon is the five-star Palace Dubai Creek Harbour with 122 stylish bedrooms.
  • Newly open on the waterfront on Dubai Canal with views of the Burj Khalifa, The Lana is a Dorchester Collection hotel that combines stunning architecture, spectacular use of space and light and impeccable service levels. It offers three event spaces and 225 rooms.
  • Drawing on inspiration from exclusive superyachts, Marsa Al Arab is the latest hotel from the Jumeirah Group. Designed to epitomise superior luxury and quality in another landmark building, it will offer 387 rooms and 10 restaurants. Part of the wider complex that also includes Jumeirah Beach Hotel, Burj Al Arab, Madinat Jumeirah and Wild Wadi Waterpark, it is opening soon.
  • Opened early 2023, the NH Collection Dubai The Palm is an exciting four-star property that offers excellent value in this high-demand location on exclusive Palm West Beach. A short journey from Dubai’s top attractions, it offers 227 rooms, direct beach access, a rooftop pool and lively sports bar.
  • The Hilton Dubai Palm Jumeirah opened in September 2022 with 608 guest rooms and suites offering stunning views of the Dubai skyline and Dubai Marina. Dining options include Trader Vic’s, McGettigan’s and Barfly by Buddha Bar, while guests also enjoy the tranquil signature Eforea Spa and a fully equipped gym. On-site event venues include 12 meeting rooms, a divisible ballroom and a terrace with panoramic ocean views that can host up to 800 people.
  • The new Marriott The Palm Dubai, the first Marriott in the region, offers 806 spacious rooms with sweeping views of Palm Jumeirah and Dubai Marina. The resort features the Saray Spa plus on-site F&B outlets like the rustic Italian-style trattoria Cucina, the Korean steakhouse Smoki Moto and the rooftop restaurant About Eleven. More than 1,100 sqm of meeting space span 10 rooms, the largest of which can hold up to 750 people.
  • The luxurious 43-storey Atlantis, The Royal Dubai opened in early 2023. With 795 hotel rooms and 102 suites, the resort has an expansive rooftop infinity pool; the Awaken wellness spa; restaurants helmed by celebrity chefs such as Gastón Acurio, Jose Andres and Ariana Bundy, and much more.
  • Terra Solis by Tomorrowland, situated in the heart of the Dubai desert, launched in 2022 offering luxury glamping experiences, rustic dining and an expansive pool designed for large-scale events and parties. This sprawling desert-chic oasis lets guests choose between three accommodation options named after stars, meteor showers and constellations.
  • With a design inspired by traditional dhow boats, the recently launched W Dubai – Mina Seyahi is a new architectural icon with 318 elegant rooms and suites overlooking the Arabian Gulf. Guests can linger in the lobby with expansive views of the Marina or spend afternoons soaking in the infinity pool and lavish BAR-B spa. A host of restaurants includes Ginger Moon, an urban beach-club experience. The hotel has four event spaces, the largest of which can host 150 guests.
  • A new addition to one of the city’s well-established properties, the Grand Hyatt Dubai Conference & Exhibition Centre is a state-of-the-art events hall with close to 5,000 sqm of multipurpose facilities, including nearly 3,000 sqm of open function space, a huge royal arrival hall and can accommodate events of up to 4,000 people.

More meeting & event venues:

  • The Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC), the global events and exhibitions industry powerhouse, has announced outstanding results for 2023. Offering an insight into Dubai’s unprecedented economic growth and its position as a leading international platform for business and trade events, DWTC welcomed 2.47 million participants last year, a 25 per cent increase on the previous year. The results were driven by 301 meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions, a rise of 23 per cent year-on-year.
  • The beachfront property closest to Dubai's financial and business districts, the Mandarin Oriental Jumeira, Dubai, has 256 rooms and suites and a 700 sqm glass-walled ballroom complete with terrace overlooking the beach. On-site are four light-filled, divisible meeting rooms equipped with high-performance AV equipment and more.
  • The Voco Dubai is located on Shaikh Zayed Road, home to most of Dubai’s signature skyscrapers. The property has 471 guest rooms and amenities include a business centre, an outdoor swimming pool, gym spa, three restaurants and nearly 1,000 sqm of meeting space.
  • With 350 luxurious rooms and suites (including the largest suite in Dubai), the W Dubai – The Palm offers uninterrupted views of the Dubai skyline. The hotel, the first W brand property in the destination, includes 10 event rooms, the largest of which can hold up to 500 people, plus six breakout rooms. Amenities include six dining outlets, a private beach and water sports.