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Expo 2020 Dubai attracts 20m visitors as event makes ‘history against the odds’

Expo organisers hail ‘amazing achievement’ as event records milestone with nearly two weeks still to run

Domestic visitors have turned out in force to support Expo 2020 Dubai, with almost 70 percent of guests hailing from the UAE.

Expo 2020 Dubai reached the milestone of 20 million visits on Saturday, with less than two weeks to run.

Organisers hailed the “amazing achievement”, saying the six-month event has made “history against the odds” after bringing the world together in the UAE for the largest global gathering since the start of the pandemic.

Before the pandemic hit in early 2020 leading to the postponement of the mega event, organisers said they were hoping to attract about 25 million visitors.

Displaying resilience in the face of unprecedented challenges, the biggest event ever to be held in the Arab world has combined cultural, educational and entertainment experiences, with 192 countries coming together to showcase the best their nations have to offer.

World leaders, cutting-edge innovations, sporting heroes, Grammy-award winning artists, Arab superstars, innovative forums and global cuisine have been among around 32,000 events and attractions at the Expo since it launched in October last year.

Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Flydubai
Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, chairman of the Expo 2020 Dubai Higher Committee.

Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, president, Dubai Civil Aviation Authority, chairman and chief executive of Emirates Airline and Group and chairman of the Expo 2020 Dubai Higher Committee, said: “When we started this journey in 2013, and even before then as we prepared the bid for Expo 2020 Dubai, we had a dream to welcome the world to Dubai and the UAE for an unprecedented global gathering that would live long in hearts and minds.

“That we have fulfilled this dream is already beyond doubt, but to achieve such a landmark number of visits is true testament to how the world has responded to what we have worked so long and hard to create.

“We trust that those millions of people will take their memories back to their families and friends, wherever they are from in the world, to continue the impressive work we have set in motion at Expo 2020 Dubai.”

Sheikh Nahayan Mabarak Al Nahayan, UAE Minister of Tolerance and Coexistence Commissioner General of Expo 2020 Dubai, added: “The opportunity to safely unite the world in the wake of the pandemic to deliver an experience with real significance is one which we have not taken for granted, and we are thrilled that Expo 2020 Dubai has proved so impressively popular.

Expo 2020 Dubai visitors UAE

“In the spirit of optimism, millions of visitors and participants have come together, not only to witness and enjoy something truly remarkable, but to also work together to drive positive social and environmental impact.

“Expo 2020 Dubai has demonstrated exceptional capability and agility in achieving a consistently high turnout amid continuing global challenges, and, as we begin our bittersweet countdown to the final curtain, we are proud of the collective efforts of all those involved.”

The achievement of attracting 20 million visitors will be celebrated later on Saturday with a special projection on Al Wasl dome and fireworks.

Domestic visitors have turned out in force to support Expo 2020 Dubai, with almost 70 percent of guests hailing from the UAE.

Latest figures show that children under the age of 18 have visited more than 2.8 million times, with the global event inspiring the next generation of innovators and change-makers.

A host of countries from across the world are still to celebrate their Expo 2020 Dubai National Days, including Canada (March 19), Pakistan (March 23), South Africa (March 28) and India (March 28), followed by the Honour Day of the Bureau International des Expositions (BIE), the governing body of World Expos, on March 30.

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