Expo 2020 Dubai visit numbers reach 20 million mark

About 70 per cent of Expo visitors have been from the UAE

Visitor numbers have surged as the world's fair entered its final week, with more than 1.8 million visits in one week. All photos: Chris Whiteoak / The National

Children make a splash at Expo 2020 Dubai.

Visitors record footage of Expo attractions as souvenirs of the event.

Crowds gather to enjoy one of the final Fridays at Expo 2020 Dubai. With a week to go, more than 20 million visits had been recorded.

The world's fair offers something for visitors of all ages, say organisers.

The spectacular Saudi Arabia pavilion has been a top attraction throughout the Expo's six-month run.

With the surge in visit numbers, organisers believe the final tally will be close to the original 25 million target.

Visitors line up to visit the Palestine pavilion.

Expo visitors explore the site and enjoy the atmosphere.

The German pavilion has been one of the most popular at Expo 2020 Dubai.

Expo 2020 Dubai is the place to be and to be seen.

Visitors enjoy a day out at Expo 2020 Dubai.

Young Expo visitors make racing cars at the Family Place.

A family having fun at the Expo.

Party time at the world's fair on Friday. Special events have been lined up before Expo 2020 Dubai ends on March 31.

Expo 2020 Dubai has reached a milestone of 20 million visits as it nears the finish line.

The achievement will be celebrated on Saturday at 8.30pm with a special projection on Al Wasl dome and a fireworks show.

Visitors have been rushing to the site in Dubai South with 12 days left until the doors close for the last time.

About 70 per cent of the total Expo visitor numbers have been from the UAE. The latest figures also show children under the age of 18 have visited more than 2.8 million times.

Organisers said the Expo hit the milestone of 20 million visits on Saturday, calling it “an amazing achievement” and “bringing the world together in the UAE for the largest global gathering since the start of the pandemic”.

“When we started this journey in 2013, and even before then as we prepared the bid for Expo 2020 Dubai, we had a dream to welcome the world to Dubai and the UAE for an unprecedented global gathering that would live long in hearts and minds,” said Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed, Chairman of the Expo’s Higher Committee.

“That we have fulfilled this dream is already beyond doubt, but to achieve such a landmark number of visits is true testament to how the world has responded to what we have worked so long and hard to create.

“We trust that those millions of people will take their memories back to their families and friends, wherever they are from in the world, to continue the impressive work we have set in motion at Expo 2020 Dubai,” Sheikh Ahmed said.

Since opening its doors to travellers from all over the world, the Expo has provided cultural, educational and entertainment experiences, including 192 country pavilions that are showing the best of what their nations offer.

There have been about 32,000 events and attractions so far that have involved world leaders, great innovations, sporting heroes, Grammy-award winning artists, ground-breaking architecture and Arab superstars.

Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak, UAE Minister of Tolerance and Coexistence and Commissioner General of Expo 2020 Dubai, said that organisers and participants were thrilled the Expo has proved so popular.

“In the spirit of optimism, millions of visitors and participants have come together, not only to witness and enjoy something truly remarkable, but to also work together to drive positive social and environmental impact,” he said.

“Expo 2020 Dubai has demonstrated exceptional capability and agility in achieving a consistently high turnout amid continuing global challenges, and, as we begin our bittersweet countdown to the final curtain, we are proud of the collective efforts of all those involved.”

During the remaining days, a host of countries will celebrate their Expo 2020 Dubai national days.

Canada will celebrate on March 19, Pakistan on March 23, and South Africa and India on March 28.

The Honour Day of the Bureau International des Expositions, the governing body of World Expos, will take place on March 30.

From March 20 to March 26, Water Week will be held, focusing on how people can protect the most precious resource of the planet.

Expo 2020 Dubai is open until March 31.

Behind the scenes of Expo 2020 Dubai's Al Wasl Plaza - in pictures