Issam Kazim is the CEO of Dubai Corporation for Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DCTCM), established in December 2013 as a subsidiary of Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET).

With a global responsibility, Kazim has built DCTCM’s now 200+ person team and network of 40+ international offices from the ground up. He is the driving force behind a comprehensive branding, promotion, and marketing agenda, designed to support efforts to further consolidate Dubai’s position as a leading global city for business and leisure in line with the Dubai Economic Agenda, D33, as well as positioning it as the best city to visit, live and work in.

Since joining DCTCM in February 2014, Kazim has spearheaded the development of innovative international and domestic programmes to enhance the visitor experience in Dubai. His leadership has been a pivotal factor in DCTCM's ongoing management of more than 30 international marketing campaigns annually, many of which have featured A-list celebrities in recent years. He has also driven an elevated focus on visitor satisfaction and advocacy, contributing to Dubai’s unprecedented achievement of being named the No.1 global destination in the Tripadvisor Travellers' Choice Awards for a third year in a row in 2024.

Kazim is directly involved in the negotiation and contracting of DCTCM's global partnerships, which include the BBC, Bloomberg, CNN, CNBC, The Telegraph Group and Tencent, designed to positively change the narrative of Dubai on the international stage. Domestically, Kazim plays an integral role in relationships with industry stakeholders, partners and investors which contribute to the overall growth in visitation and economic impact to the city.

As a key media spokesperson and the face of DCTCM for events, presentations, interviews and visiting VIP delegations, celebrities and government bodies, Kazim has developed an acute understanding of global diplomacy and localised cultural appreciation through engagements across all major markets.

Further to this, Kazim is responsible for an international travel trade programme with more than 250 partners; strategic relationships with major social networks, media outlets, public relations and digital engagement initiatives across 40 markets.

He is a member of the Dubai International Communications Committee, responsible for engaging with international media to enhance and safeguard Dubai's global image. And he was an inaugural appointee to the board of Dubai Media Council, focused on enhancing the domestic media landscape reinforcing Dubai as a global media hub.

Kazim previously worked as Director of DXB Live and Commercial at Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC), and successfully launched strategic live events including Dubai Music Week.