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DWTC HOSTS 63 CONSUMER AND ENTERTAINMENT EVENTS IN 2016
aTP- Arab tourism portal News- Dubai, – Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC), the leading destination for business and trade events in the region, will have hosted a total of 63 consumer and entertainment events until the end of 2016, welcoming over one million visitors.
This diverse calendar of entertainment events, ranging from theatrical performances and music festivals to consumer shows and sporting events, serves as a complement to DWTC’s solid business and trade exhibitions proposition, reinforcing its commitment to further diversifying Dubai’s events sector and positively contributing to the growth of tourism across the Emirate.
Ahmed Alkhaja, Senior Vice President – Venues, DWTC said: "The demand for multicultural attractions and family entertainment in the UAE has positively impacted the increase in domestic and international leisure tourism to Dubai. In addition to offering a world-renowned platform for the MICE industry, DWTC continues to broaden its consumer and entertainment event offerings to include a variety of home-grown and global events to its calendar, supporting Dubai’s tourism vision and goal to increase visitor footfall.”
Amongst non-trade events hosted at DWTC in 2016, 18 consumer events welcomed over 300,000 visitors and 45 live events attracted over 700,000 visitors. Highlights of the year included Cirque Du Soleil – Varekai, Russell Peters show, Disney Live, Ramadan Majlis, Dubai Sports World, Modhesh World, and more.
Global music maestros and theatre productions draw thousands of fans
Remarkable performances from global music legends drew in a diverse multicultural audience to the venue. The year began on a high note in February with a sold-out show featuring Charles Aznavour, the French-Armenian singer who mesmerized the audience with his timeless, soulful melodies. French singer Enrico Macias, Indian superstar Arijit Singh and Kuwaiti icon Nawal El Kuwaitia also gave memorable performances at DWTC attracting over 13,000 music aficionados.
Six of the finest international comedians entertained audiences at DWTC with their witty humour including Dara O’Brian, Russell Peters and Kapil Sharma.
In addition to global talent, DWTC also premiered home-grown theatrical productions including the avant garde Al-Faris that foretold an unseen side of the UAE, with its rustic saga musical based on the poems of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai.
Featuring an international cast of 50 performers and musicians from 19 countries, Cirque Du Soleil – Varekai brought high-flying acrobatics and heart-racing acts to the UAE including the Flight of Icarus, Aerial Straps, Russian Swings and the Slippery Surface. The critically acclaimed production has impressed over 8 million people worldwide since it first premiered in Montreal in 2002 and since then, performed at more than 72 cities in 20 countries around the world.
Further captivating firsts for Dubai in 2016 included the fairy-tale Disney classic Beauty and the Beast which welcomed 12,000 fans, in addition to the UFO Show and the breath-taking Cirque Le Noir.
