Keynote Speaker
Chief Executive Officer of the Dubai Corporation for Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DCTCM)
His Excellency Issam Kazim was appointed in 2014 as the first Chief Executive Officer of the Dubai Corporation for Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DCTCM), a subsidiary of the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET). He spearheads a comprehensive global marketing communications strategy aligned with the goals of the Dubai Economic Agenda, D33 to further consolidate Dubai's position as a leading global destination for business and leisure, and make it the world’s best city to visit, live, work and invest in.
Leading a team of more than 200 professionals working across 80+ international markets, he is continuously advancing DET’s efforts to cultivate strong relationships with industry stakeholders and investors, fuelling the growth of the city’s tourism sector and amplifying its overall economic impact.
His focus on advocacy by visitors and residents alike has been instrumental in enhancing Dubai's global reputation, and his tenure has been marked by major achievements, including Dubai’s unprecedented recognition as the No.1 global destination in the Tripadvisor Travellers’ Choice Awards for three consecutive years (2022–2024).
Kazim has forged and leveraged partnerships to further propel the city’s growth, from collaborations with major global brands to alliances with key tourism industry players, turning the spotlight on Dubai as a gastronomy hub by bringing the MICHELIN Guide to Dubai for the first time in 2022, and securing landmark partnerships, such as with Real Madrid, that give the city further global visibility.
Kazim serves on the Board of the Dubai Media Council (DMC), focusing on reinforcing Dubai as a global media hub and enhancing the domestic media landscape, and is Chairman of DMC’s Dubai Film Development Committee, driving initiatives to strengthen the city’s position as a global hub for media production.
He is also a member of the Dubai International Communications Committee, which engages with international media to protect and enhance Dubai’s global image. Additionally, he is a board member of Empower, the world’s largest district cooling services provider.
Before his current role, Kazim served as the Director of DXB Live and Commercial at Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC), where he successfully launched live events, including Dubai Music Week, Dubai Sports World, and Dubai Classics. He also previously held the role of Director of Corporate Marketing and Communication at DWTC.
His Excellency Issam Abdulrahim Kazim was appointed in 2014 as the first Chief Executive Officer of the Dubai Corporation for Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DCTCM), a subsidiary of the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET). He spearheads a comprehensive global marketing communications strategy aligned with the goals of the Dubai Economic Agenda, D33 to further consolidate Dubai's position as a leading global destination for business and leisure, and make it the world’s best city to visit, live, work and invest in.
Leading a team of more than 200 professionals working across 80+ international markets, he is continuously advancing DET’s efforts to cultivate strong relationships with industry stakeholders and investors, fuelling the growth of the city’s tourism sector and amplifying its overall economic impact.
His focus on advocacy by visitors and residents alike has been instrumental in enhancing Dubai's global reputation, and his tenure has been marked by major achievements, including Dubai’s unprecedented recognition as the No.1 global destination in the Tripadvisor Travellers’ Choice Awards for three consecutive years (2022–2024).
Kazim has forged and leveraged partnerships to further propel the city’s growth, from collaborations with major global brands to alliances with key tourism industry players, turning the spotlight on Dubai as a gastronomy hub by bringing the MICHELIN Guide to Dubai for the first time in 2022, and securing landmark partnerships, such as with Real Madrid, that give the city further global visibility.
Kazim serves on the Board of the Dubai Media Council (DMC), focusing on reinforcing Dubai as a global media hub and enhancing the domestic media landscape, and is Chairman of DMC’s Dubai Film Development Committee, driving initiatives to strengthen the city’s position as a global hub for media production.
He is also a member of the Dubai International Communications Committee, which engages with international media to protect and enhance Dubai’s global image. Additionally, he is a board member of Empower, the world’s largest district cooling services provider.
Before his current role, Kazim served as the Director of DXB Live and Commercial at Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC), where he successfully launched live events, including Dubai Music Week, Dubai Sports World, and Dubai Classics. He also previously held the role of Director of Corporate Marketing and Communication at DWTC.