Her Excellency Reem Al Hashimi, Minister of State for International Cooperation, Director General of Expo 2020 Dubai, Hilal Saeed Al Marri, Director General of the Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing in Dubai, Director General of the Dubai World Trade Center Authority and a member of the Supreme Committee of Expo 2020, confirmed that next International Expo will take several months. It will become a new chapter in the process of success in Dubai, and a global experience that will highlight the emirate’s confidence, safety and openness to all visitors, and strengthen the leisure and business tourism sectors, which are already booming.
Within the context of the conversation after the meeting of international participants, which was held over the course of two days, and welcomed representatives of the 173 countries participating in Expo 2020, which will host more than 190 countries, both HE Excellency Reem Al Hashemi and Hilal Saeed Al Marri praised Dubai’s confidence and vision, as well as its firm commitment to host the next International Expo, in light of the close cooperation between Expo 2020 and the Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing to present an international event that will dazzle and inspire its visitors from around the world, pointing to the success of the meeting, which was personally attended by more than 370 delegates, in preparation for the opening of Expo 2020 next October.
Her Excellency Reem Al Hashimi said: “Since the planning stages, we have worked hand in hand with the Dubai Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing to achieve an Expo that attracts visitors from all over the world and is proud of Dubai and the entire UAE. In light of the changing features of the world, we have also adapted, thanks to our cooperation with the Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing, we have achieved an international expo that will spread happiness and inspiration among explorers, entrepreneurs, children, adults, transit tourists, and curious fans who want to test the future – now “.
Hilal Al Marri said: “ Since the beginning, Dubai embodied what success means, despite the difficulties, as it rose with pride and determination to become an economic drive and a vital center for travelers from all over the world. Setting new standards is rooted in us, and to that end, we see Expo 2020 Dubai as a turning point for the world given what we are all in today.
No one would have expected how the “Covid 19” pandemic would permanently change our reality. However, Dubai and Expo 2020, like the rest of the world, paused a little to think and contemplate. With the high spirits and optimism we had brought upon it to overcome the unprecedented challenges with perseverance, we are now stronger than we were.
Economic openness
With a phased re-opening, Dubai re-welcomed tourists in July 2020, as the emirate organized its first events in which people are allowed to attend in person, after the lockdown period, and has since been open to the world, reinforcing its role as a travel hub for both work and leisure.
Al-Marri added: “Dubai has succeeded in spreading its economic openness over stages, giving priority to safety in light of reducing the consequences of the current pandemic, an approach that makes us ready to lead recovery in the post-pandemic phase. As a thriving tourism destination and global hub for meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions’ sector, we look forward to welcoming more international business and leisure travelers to Dubai over the coming months.”
Prominent symbol
As part of Dubai’s future-oriented strategies, Expo 2020 Dubai will stimulate the region’s thriving tourism and events sectors, while the Dubai Exhibition Center, a sophisticated, multi-purpose center spanning an area of 45,000 square meters and already 80% booked over the course of the international event, will play a pivotal role in attracting local and international travelers and businessmen.
The center will be a prominent symbol of Expo’s long-term legacy in terms of business and tourism, and it is one of the permanent constructions that will remain after the conclusion of Expo 2020 activities, to be part of “District 2020”, the new urban innovation system and the global future community.
2,500 authorized ticket distributors attract international visits to Expo 2020
Expo 2020 organizers announced at the Arab Travel Market (Forum 2021) that more than 2,500 online travel agents, tour operators, hotel groups and airlines have signed contracts to become certified ticket distributors for Expo 2020 Dubai.
Authorized ticket distributors spread across major markets, across more than 100 countries, offer value-added travel packages for international visitors to experience the best of Expo 2020, based on a wide range of budgets and preferences, supporting Expo’s mission to welcome visitors from all over the world to participate in making new world. Somathi Ramanathan, Vice President of Market Strategy and Sales, at Expo 2020 Dubai, said: Expo 2020 Dubai is less than five months apart from the world’s rallying of the global celebration of human creativity, a celebration that promises visitors of all ages, nationalities and interests an exceptional experience, and a strong international network of certified ticket distributors. It is an integral part of achieving this.
And she continued: We are pleased that we have managed to significantly increase the number of accredited ticket distributors signed with Expo, to more than double the number before the start of the current pandemic. Expo 2020 is ready to welcome the world, and thanks to the support of our tourism, hospitality and travel partners, our international visitors will find full support to join us, to be part of this most diverse World Expo in history, while together we build a better future for all.
Active distributor networks in target markets depend on how potential visitors in those countries book tickets at various stages of their trip planning process, and will be useful in facilitating travel to the first World Expo to be held in the Middle East, Africa and South Asia region.
This announcement at the Arab Travel Market comes on the heels of the successful personal gathering of high-level delegates from 173 countries, out of more than 190 countries participating in the Expo, at the sixth and final meeting of international participants. This meeting was the first event at the Dubai Exhibition Center at Expo 2020 Dubai.
Earlier this year, Expo 2020 also welcomed more than 100,000 visitors to experience an early preview of Terra, the sustainability pavilion, allowing them to get a glimpse of what Expo 2020 has to offer when it opens its doors to the world on October 1st.
Measures
The Expo Pavilion allowed attendees to experience a large-scale program of precautionary measures taken by Expo 2020 to ensure the safety of all visitors, participants and employees, which was implemented in close cooperation with the Ministry of Health and Community Protection in the UAE and the Dubai Health Authority, and in line with the latest information and guidance of the World Health Organization.
Steps of this program included mandating advance reservation of tickets to control capacity, visitor flow; Earth signs and signs placed to encourage social distancing; and the presence of designated employees to monitor and regulate the process of social distancing in all places.
Nahyan bin Mubarak hosts bilateral meetings at the Dubai Exhibition Center
His Excellency Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Cabinet Member, Minister of Tolerance and Coexistence, and Commissioner General of Expo 2020 Dubai, hosted a number of bilateral meetings on the sidelines of the meeting of international participants in Expo 2020, stressing the role of the huge international event as a unique platform for international cooperation.
In a welcoming speech to the delegates of the international participants ’meeting, His Excellency said:“ Expo 2020 Dubai is about all of us coming together to build a better world for future generations, to play our role in reshaping and redesigning our future, and bringing together people from different backgrounds and different corners of the earth to live unique common experiences that will help them get to know each other, have conversations and live together in peace and prosperity.
”I thank you all for your dedication to shaping a positive future, and for your commitment to the cause of the advancement of humanity. Our journeys through Expo 2020 Dubai will be enriched and deepened by your ideas and your commitment to improving the quality of life for our entire planet.”
In meetings with Her Excellency Nadia Fattah Alaoui, Minister of Tourism, Handicraft, Air Transport and Social Economy of the Kingdom of Morocco; His Excellency Mr. Charles Fernandez, Minister of Tourism and Economic Development of Antigua and Barbuda; His Excellency Gilbert Boustany, Commissioner General of Antigua and Barbuda at Expo 2020, Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan discussed the long-term legacy of Expo 2020 at the local, regional and international levels, and its alignment with the broader strategic vision of the United Arab Emirates. The two countries, in turn, expressed their increasing enthusiasm and appreciation of the advanced preparations for the Expo, at the level of its location, and even at the level of the UAE as a whole. The talks, which included a briefing session with His Excellency Dimitri Kirkensz, Secretary General of the International Bureau of Exhibitions, took place on the sidelines of the International Participants’ Meeting, which was held on 4-5 May at the Dubai Exhibition Center, Expo 2020.
The meeting of international participants brought together more than 370 delegates from 173 countries to discuss final preparations for what will be the first event of this size to be held in the world since the beginning of the current global pandemic. During the visit, the delegates were informed of the latest developments in operations and security, in addition to the intensified measures taken to confront COVID-19, which are being taken to guarantee the safety of Expo workers, its participants, and its visitors.
