The biggest gathering of mankind since the dawn of the pandemic, Expo 2020 Dubai is closing in on the majestic 15 million total visitor mark, with just 37 days to go before the conclusion of the event, with the tagline of “it’s now or never until it’s gone forever.”
According to Expo organizers, the numbers are set to accelerate with upcoming headline-grabbing performances and programs such as last week’s cheering performance of Global superstars Coldplay at Al Wasl Plaza.
As of this week, total visitation stood at 14,719,277, days after Coldplay’s unforgettable concert, part of Expo 2020 Dubai’s Infinite Nights Series brought together the shared goals of the British band and the UAE by boosting climate awareness and driving action to preserve our planet in support of Expo’s Program for People and Planet and alignment with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
According to an official press release of the Expo 2020, with just 37 days to go before the end of the global event, domestic visits surged 128 percent in the past six weeks, and international visitation was up 19 percent, primarily due to the new $13.61 (AED50) Season Finale Pass.
As students went back to class after the mid-term break, the past week saw the highest number of school children on site. Families returned several times over the holiday with new children’s shows added to the special program on weekends, and the Expo School Program’s Young Stars performing at the iconic Al Wasl Plaza.
Serbia Pavilion recently hosted tennis star and 20-time Grand Slam champion Mr. Novak Djokovic, ahead of workshops run by his charitable organization. Fellow international champions from the world of men’s and women’s tennis, including John McEnroe, Mr. Kim Clijsters, and Mr. Richard Krajicek, then put on a nail-biting spectacle later in the week when they battled it out in singles and doubles exhibition match at the Expo Sports Arena.
The sporting highlights continued with a visit by Manchester City Women’s players Ms. Esme Morgan, Ms. Karen Bardsley, and Ms. Laura Coombs, who held a live Q&A at the Women’s Pavilion as they strived to motivate the next generation of female athletes with their Same Goals initiative.
The event was part of Expo 2020 Dubai’s strong focus on women, as the world prepares for International Women’s Day on 8 March. Expo 2020’s special This will International Women’s Day offerings will include a diverse three-day program that consists of a gathering of world leaders in various fields, spotlighting gender equality under the theme #BreaktheBias.
Food, Agriculture & Livelihoods Week, the latest of the 10 Theme Weeks that anchor Expo 2020 Dubai’s Program for People and Planet is hosting change-makers, innovators, and stakeholders from across the global food value chain to shed the spotlight on food systems that are more productive, more inclusive, environmentally sustainable, and resilient, and deliver healthy and nutritious diets for all.
Music highlights included Filipina singing sensation Ms. Moira Dela Torre, who enthralled the audience at the Jubilee Stage on Valentine’s Day, while fans of Sufi rock group Junoon, rooted in New York and Pakistan, came out in force at Dubai Exhibition Centre last week. The same evening saw DJ Hani, known for his blend of techno mash-ups, get the audience on their feet at the Jubilee Stage.
Ms. Shreya Ghoshal, one of India’s most popular playback singers, lit up the stage at Jubilee Park with her Bollywood favorites, while the audience was treated to Pakistani music from two legendary performers, Mr. Shafqat Amanat, and Ms. Hadiqa Kiani, at Dubai Exhibition Centre early this week. The Jubilee Stage also hosted global music sensation and Bollywood star Ms. Nora Fatehi, with the Canadian singer, actress, model, and producer pulling in a significant audience.
The star-studded line-ups continue, with Canadian jazz legend Ms. Diana Krall set to enthrall crowds at Al Wasl Plaza, while across the site, Country Pavilions from the Arab world continue to draw big visitors, including the likes of Egypt, Morocco, Palestine, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE.
Expo 2020 Dubai’s virtual visitation numbers have also reached 145 million, driven by the diverse entertainment available via Live@Expo, as well as extensive coverage of Expo 2020 Dubai’s Program for People and Planet and the live-streaming of Coldplay.
With upcoming breath-taking visual displays, world-class concerts, and more, including International Women’s Day celebrations across Expo 2020 in the second week of March, for visitors it is “Now or never before it’s gone forever,” as the World Expo approaches its finale by the end of March.
