10 things you should know about the upcoming World Expo 2020 in Dubai

Come October, Dubai will put a great show and welcome tourists from all over the world. All preparations are in full swing to host the Dubai Expo 2020 - the biggest event in the region's history. There is unmissable buzz and excitement in the air with less than 50 days to go and all COVID protocols in place. This exclusive event is geared up to captivate its visitors after being postponed by nearly a year due to the pandemic. Here is a list of ten things you must know about the Expo.

1. Dubai Expo 2020 is scheduled to take place from October 1, 2021, to March 31, 2022, spanning six months. The principal theme is "Connecting Minds, Creating the Future," with three sub-themes - Sustainability, Mobility, and Opportunity. The expo site is divided into three districts based on the sub-themes, with each of them having a dedicated pavilion.
2. Dubai won the World Expo hosting bid on November 27, 2013, paving the way for the first-ever world expo in the Middle East, Africa, and South Asia (MEASA) region and the primary one to be hosted by an Arab nation.
3. In terms of economic impact, it is the third-largest event following Olympic Games and FIFA World Cup.
4. Dubai Expo 2020 coincides with the UAE's golden jubilee celebrations (50th year) and marks a significant milestone.
5. Approximately 25 million people are expected to visit this grand event. This is the first time an expo follows a hybrid model, which means that you can enjoy both physical and virtual experiences. The Dubai Expo 2020 tickets are available online for booking.

1. The Dubai government has built a new city called "Dubai South" only to host the Expo. The expo site covers an area of 4.38 sq km that includes a 200-hectare gated area. This is equivalent to four times the total land area of one of the largest shopping malls in the world – The Dubai Mall.
2. 192 countries are participating in the Expo, and for the first time in the history of expos, each participating country will have its pavilion to exhibit the best of its nation.
3. The expo site resembles a flower petal when viewed from above. Santiago Calatrava designed the UAE pavilion, and it appears like a falcon in flight. The logo of the Expo is inspired by a gold ring that is more than 4000 years old and dates to the Iron Age.
4. Dubai government is developing new and robust transportation infrastructure, especially for this event, such as electric buses, new bus stops, tram stations, trains, roads, and more. A new metro station has come up near the expo site called "Expo 2020 Metro Station."
5. This Expo is an eco-friendly project, and solar panels will provide electricity at the venue. Over 90% of the material used in the site's construction will be recycled to construct public buildings.

Conclusion

The Expo will act as an excellent platform to share culture, art, technology, and food, from more than 192 nations. The event is all set to celebrate human brilliance, ambitions, and achievement that will boost the economic development of the entire region. The Al Maktoum International Airport is also being renovated to support better cargo and passenger handling capacity and is expected to become busier than the Heathrow Airport in London. So, apply for your Dubai visa, pack your bags, and set off to experience this global extravaganza.