Expo 2020 Dubai welcomed more than 24 million visits over its six months

The organisers of the ‘world’s greatest show’, Expo 2020 Dubai, have advised that over its 182 days the event attracted 24,102,967 visits.

Running for six months prior to its grand closing ceremony on 31st March, the staging of the event demonstrated remarkable resilience in being staged as the world was impacted by the Coronavirus pandemic, with 192 countries coming together to showcase their cultural and technological achievements.

The biggest event ever to be held in the Arab world, Expo 2020 Dubai combined unparalleled cultural, educational and entertainment experiences with more than 30,000 events and myriad attractions at the region’s first World Expo that have spurred Expo 2020 Dubai to this monumental achievement.

World leaders, cutting-edge innovations, sporting heroes, Grammy-award winning artists, incredible architecture, Arab superstars, innovative forums and global cuisine spurred Expo 2020 Dubai to its monumental achievement.

Commenting on the success, 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, advised “after an incredible six months, we are immensely proud to have staged a World Expo that has connected minds, created the future and inspired the world.

“Expo 2020 Dubai is a triumph that will go down in history as a beacon of unity and hope - a tremendous honour for the UAE as we celebrated our 50th year and a defining moment in the history of our nation.

“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.”

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

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

Staging Expo 2020 has also contributed to the UAE’s GDP growth, new job opportunities and foreign direct investment (FDI) worth approximately US$33.2 billion.

Image: Expo 2020 Dubai guest's beneath the event's Al Wasl Dome. Credit: Hamada Galab.