Dubai has won its bid to host Expo 2020 with the event expected to have a “significant” impact on tourism to the destination.
The results of the final vote ount were revealed in Paris yesterday with Dubai beating Brazil, Russia and Turkey to host the world’s oldest, largest and most significant international mega-event with its Connecting Minds, Creating the Future theme.
Expo will provide a unique platform on which to communicate the “remarkable story of a young city and nation”, according to Helal Saeed Almarri, director general of Dubai’s Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM).
“From the outset, Dubai’s Expo bid was part of the government’s long-term vision that ensures sustainable national development and a prosperous future for the UAE,” he said.
“Hosting Expo 2020 is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and one that will be maximised to accelerate the growth of the tourism industry in Dubai, the UAE and the wider GCC region.”
Between October 2020 and April 2021, more than 25 million visitors are expected to attend Expo 2020, 70% of which will be from outside the UAE – the largest number of international visitors in Expo history.
“Our successful bid demonstrated the value in harnessing the collective power, resources and passion of all of our city stakeholders and the people of the UAE and we will ensure that the world is welcomed in style in 2020,” Almarri said.
