The Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC) has announced an impressive 140% increase in guest catering, significantly enhancing its position as a leader in both external event catering and on-site services. The hospitality division’s growth is a testament to its expanding influence in the UAE’s vibrant catering landscape, showcasing its commitment to excellence and versatility in meeting diverse client needs.
The results further solidify DWTC’s reputation as a premier provider for external events and on-site catering services, building on its established track record of catering for events held at DWTC venues.
Impressive Growth in Guest Catering
The division enjoyed a remarkable surge in the number of guests served at external events, catering to 104,732 guests in the first half of 2024. This marks a drastic increase from the 43,615 guests served in the same period of 2023, reflecting a phenomenal rise of 140 percent.
Strategic Investments and Key Partnerships
This remarkable growth highlights DWTC’s increased influence and expertise in delivering off-site catering across the UAE. Mahir Abdulkarim Julfar, Executive Vice President at DWTC, stated, “The first half of 2024 has been an outstanding period for our hospitality division. We have seen a significant increase in our external catering services, more than doubling our performance compared to the first half of the previous year.”
He added, “Our participation in high-profile events such as the Dubai International Boat Show, Dubai World Cup, Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, and Dubai Airshow showcases our ability to deliver exceptional hospitality at scale.” This success not only demonstrates DWTC’s capabilities but also underscores its commitment to providing premier catering services beyond its venues.
Strengthening Wedding Catering Services
Wedding catering has also experienced robust growth, with the division serving 35,150 guests in the first half of 2024, a significant increase of 41 percent from 24,790 in the same timeframe last year. This burgeoning segment further illustrates DWTC’s versatility in catering services.
To accommodate this growth, the number of staff has increased correspondingly. Operating from a state-of-the-art kitchen facility spanning 3,650 square meters, DWTC Hospitality now employs 113 chefs, up from 90 at this time last year. The total number of permanent staff has nearly doubled, reaching 195, compared to just 100 in the first half of 2023. Furthermore, contracted and temporary staff numbers have risen by over 8 percent, increasing from 23,473 to 25,395 in H1 2024.
Commitment to Talent Development
Julfar emphasized, “The primary factor behind the success of our Hospitality division is our people. At DWTC, we are dedicated to fostering and nurturing talent, ensuring that every individual has the opportunity to grow and develop their skills as part of a high-performing team.” He noted that investing in staff aligns with the Dubai Economic Agenda (D33) and supports the city’s sustainable economic growth.
Additional achievements from the Hospitality division include notable results at DWTC venues throughout the city. The Jafza One Convention Centre (JOCC) hosted 7,150 guests in the first half of 2024, representing an increase of more than 28 percent compared to H1 2023.
Moreover, the total number of events held at JOCC and Dubai Exhibition Centre (DEC) increased by 17 percent, rising from 76 events in H1 2023 to 89 events in H1 2024.
As a significant player in Dubai’s bustling events industry, DWTC’s Hospitality division continues to deliver award-winning catering services for both internal and external events, encompassing weddings and food and beverage retail services.