New figures show that Dubai World Trade Centre will host a total of 368 working day’s worth of exhibitions this year, making it officially the busiest year-to-date.Halfway through the year, the figures for booked and completed shows and conventions top all previous records, with the Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC) set to host a record 92 exhibitions in 2006 at its two venues, the Dubai International Convention & Exhibition Centre and the Airport Expo.

With each exhibition running an average of 4 days, this adds up to a staggering 368 days of full exhibition time, putting DWTC amongst the top tier of convention and exhibition groups internationally in terms of active time.

Events such as GITEX, INDEX, Arab Health, Gulfood and the Middle East International Motor Show, Arabian Travel Market have become firm dates in the region’s diary, attracting many local, regional and international visitors.

“Dubai’s Conference and Exhibition sector is undergoing massive growth and it’s clear that 2006 will be our busiest year to date. With the recent announcement of our expansion plans - creating a 30% increase (15,000 sqm. more space) - we feel we are meeting the challenge head-on to ensure that the facilities are available to support the phenomenal growth rates and world-class events that visitors have come to expect in Dubai,” said DWTC Director General Helal Saeed Al Marri.

“In terms of ongoing investment and growth, 2006 is only the start,” added Al Marri. “We have a two-stage development plan that will first see the expansion of existing facilities with the new construction at Dubai International Conference & Exhibitions Centre (DICEC) and, in the second phase, the construction of Dubai Exhibition City, to be located in World Central.”

The current plan features 120,000 sqm of exhibition space which will be ready by 2009.
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