DubaiExpo2020 is a WorldExpo event currently being hosted in Dubai in UnitedArabEmirates. It will remain open from 1st October 2021 to 31st March 2022. Originally scheduled to be held from 20th October 2020 to 10th April 2021, it was postponed due to the COVID19 pandemic. Despite being postponed for more than a year, organizers of Dubai Expo 2020 have kept the name Expo 2020 for marketing and branding purposes.
The Bureau International des Expositions (BIE) general assembly in Paris had named Dubai as the host way back on 27 November 2013. Expo 2020 is the biggest cultural gathering in the world, presenting a visually-striking and emotionally-inspiring exhibition for 182 days, as more than 200 participant countries and millions of tourist are expected to visit it. Also called ExpodUBAI2020 it is expected to help revive topuprism in Dubai that had been severely hampered by the travel restrictions imposed due to COVID19 pandemic.
Expo 2020 is being promoted as a must-visit familydestination, with thousands of events, amazing exploratory experiences, and free entry for children up to age of 18, students holding valid ID cards of recognized academic institutions, visitors aged 60 and above. Tickets are also free for disabled people, with 50% off for one caretaker. The event is an extension of the VisitDubai campaign.
The Expo 2020 Dubai show is being held in a massive 438-hectare area between the cities of Dubai and AbuDhabi, near Dubai’s southern border with Abu Dhabi. The expo2020 was designed by US based firm HOK, and is organized around a central plaza, Al Wasl; surrounded by 3 large thematic districts dedicated to one of the sub-themes of Expo 2020 namely Opportunity, Mobility and Sustainability.
The dubaiexpo site all amenities such as emergency centre with isolation room, emergency care room, ambulances and helicopter services. The site also features the ROVE Expo 2020 hotel and allows visitors view of Al Wasl Plaza.Expo2020 was officially opened on 30 September 2021. The expo was declared open by the Emir of Dubai Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum.
The Expo 2020 is connected to other localities in Dubai, via Dubai Metro’s Red Line, alongside shuttle buses ‘Expo Riders’ that ferry people from all over Dubai to the Expo site and back, taxis are also available. Visitors coming to the expo can walk around to explore, as it has been designed to be explored on foot. Electricvehicles or golfcart are also available to explore each area of Expo.Almost all countries of the world have setup pavilions in Expo in various sizes and according to the choice of the theme be it Opportunity, Mobility and Sustainability.
Besides the country pavilions there are other pavilions as well in the expo. In ‘partner pavilion’ the partner companies of Dubai Expo 2020 have setup stalls as per the theme. In the ‘organization pavilion’ many global organizations as per the theme have setup stall like ASEAN, ArfricanUnion, GulfCooperationCouncil or GCC. There is also a ‘special pavilion’ where certain organization or groups have setup stall as per theme chosen. Numerous events, programs are held everyday in the expo and the schedule can be known at the entry itself.
There are 6 different mascots for Dubai Expo 2020; namely Salama, Rashid, Latifa, Alif, Opti, and Terra. Rashid and Latifa are a 9 and 8-year-old brother and sister duo, Salama is a ghaf tree, and Alif, Opti, and Terra are guardian mascots for themes namely mobility, opportunity, and sustainability. The Dubai Expo 2020 is associated with a rise in the UAE’s GDP, as predicted by the International Monetary Fund.
In the sidelines of expo, the WorldChessChampionship 2021 was held between 24 November 2021 and 16 December 2021. The match was won by reigning World Chess Champion MagnusCarlsen of Norway, who defeated the challenger Ian Nepomniachtchi of Russia. There are numerous things to do at Dubai Expo 2020 for tourists and local visitors.
Tourist can witness the future of food at the Epochal Banquet; visit India, UAE, and the 192 country pavilions; hitch a ride on electric bicycle; visit the Emirates pavilion; tour the 360-degree Al Wasl Opera; Interact with robot-pals; tour the Al-Wasl Plaza; run; Check out future of service stations inspired by UAE’s national tree; see SpaceX rocket at the USA pavilion; dine at Michelin-star chef tables; relax at Garden in the Sky; see Culture Lab’s Beethoven-inspired robotic band at Germany pavilion; and but not the least experience Oscar winner music director ARRahman’s Firdaus Orchestra.
Many countries have issued postcard, postage stamps commemorating the Expo 2020. Tickets are actually available in the form of pass. There are 3 types of passes namely daily passes, monthly passes and seasonal passes. The daily pass is applicable for one day only, costing AED 95. The monthly pass offers unrestricted entry for 30 consecutive days and costs AED 195. The seasonal pass offers unlimited entry for the entire six months of the Expo and costs AED 495. After the expo is over on 31st March 2022 the entire site will become part of a 3 million sq. m realestate development project called District2020 that will include commercial and residential spaces.
The Sustainability Pavilion will become a children and science centre, the Mobility Pavilion will become an office building, and the Opportunity Pavilion will be rebuilt as a mixed-use space. The UAE Pavilion will become UAE’s cultural centre. There are also plans to build 2 hospitals, a school and additional office spaces.
