In the first six months of 2025, Dubai reported growth in business events, visitor numbers, and infrastructure-related developments. Official sources published figures on successful event bids, international tourist spending, hospitality services, and the implementation of new technology and transport initiatives.

Event Bids, Airport Traffic and New Initiatives

Dubai Business Events recorded 249 successful bids between January and June 2025, linked to events scheduled through 2029. The conversion rate increased to 64%, up from 58% in the same period in 2024, with an expected delegate count of 127,087. Dubai International Airport (DXB) handled 46.2 million passengers in the first half of the year, with 22.5 million in Q2. The Dubai World Trade Centre served over 510,000 hospitality guests at 100 events. According to the World Travel and Tourism Council, international tourist spending in the UAE reached AED 217 billion in 2024, with total travel and tourism contributions at AED 257.3 billion. In addition, the Dubai Chamber of Digital Economy introduced the Entrepreneur’s AI Playbook. Dubai also conducted the region’s first test flight of an electric aerial taxi in partnership with Joby Aviation.