The successful face-to-face gathering of more than 370 delegates ahead of Expo 2020’s opening in October shows the next World Expo is set to become one of Dubai’s greatest success stories – a global experience that will demonstrate the emirate’s condence, safety and openness to all visitors and further boost its thriving leisure and business tourism industries.
Speaking after the two-day International Participants Meeting (IPM), which welcomed delegates from 173 of Expo’s 190-plus participating countries, Reem Al Hashimy, UAE Minister of State for International Cooperation and Director General, Expo 2020 Dubai and Helal Saeed Al Marri, Director General of Dubai’s Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM), Expo 2020 to unveil a renewed future for global tourism, business and events.
Al Hashimy, said, “Since the planning stages, we have worked hand-in-hand with DTCM to deliver an Expo that will attract visitors from across the planet and make Dubai and the UAE proud. As the world changed, we too have adapted, and thanks to our collaboration with DTCM, we have created an Expo that will delight and inspire explorers and entrepreneurs, children and grandparents, casual tourists and the curious who want to experience the future – now.”
Commenting on Dubai setting new benchmarks, Al Marri said, “Since inception, Dubai has exemplied what it means to succeed against all odds, rising with dignity and determination to become an economic engine and a vibrant hub for travellers from all over the world. No one could have anticipated how Covid-19 would alter our realities so denitively, and yet, like the rest of the world, Dubai and Expo 2020 paused, reected and persevered through unprecedented challenges, with our innate indomitable spirit, to reemerge stronger and more optimistic for our collective future.” Implementing a phased economic reopening, Dubai began welcoming tourists once again in July 2020 – when the city’s rst in-person, post-lockdown event was held – and has since remained open to the world, reinforcing the renewed need for global business and leisure travel.
Al Marri added, “Dubai has successfully deployed its phased economic reopening that prioritised safety while minimising the impacts of the pandemic – an approach that sees us well-positioned to lead a post-pandemic recovery. As a thriving tourist destination and a global centre for the meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions (MICE) sector, we look forward to welcoming more of the world’s business and leisure travellers to Dubai over the coming months.”
Running from October 1, 2021, until March 31, 2022, Expo 2020 will coincide with the 50-year anniversary of the founding of the UAE, and highlight the country’s role as a global connecting hub for people, ideas and innovation.
Blogs
