Post-Expo 2020 Dubai

The ongoing global pandemic of COVID-19, which started in March 2020, stops or postponing events around the world and Expo 2020 is no exception. On May 4, 2020, it was stated on the official website of the expo that the start of the world exhibition in Dubai was postponed.

“We welcome the decision of BIE Member States to support the delay of Expo 2020 by one year” – said Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, the chairman of the Expo 2020 Committee. In April 2020, Bureau International des Expositions Member States voted for postponing the global event for next year.

Expo 2020 will start on October 2021 and will retain its name, according to the organizing committee. The main theme of the exhibition "Connecting Minds, Creating the Future" will also remain the same. It is expected that the World Expo will welcome 192 countries, different business and educational organizations, the official website said.

The economic impact during the Expo will mainly come from the forecasted 25 million visitors. Entry tickets, merchandise spending, food and beverage purchases, hotel, local transport and aviation will contribute the most since those are the basic expenses of the visitors. The Expo period will have an estimated impact of AED 22.7 (USD 6.18 billion).

The legacy period covers May 2022 to December 2032 period. During that time the Expo 2020 site is going to be changed into District 2020, a mixed-use development. It is planned to expand it to a large city that will support such industries as travel and tourism, transport, construction and real estate. The total impact of that period of time is an estimated AED 62.2 billion (USD 16.9 billion).

It is important to understand what kind of impact Expo 2020 could have on Dubai’s economy because not so many World Expos succeed before. For example, the Milan Expo in 2015 is considered to be one of the most controversial in Europe due to different public protests over the costs, bribery investigations, construction delays and many more.

In addition to all pavilions at Expo 2020, there will also be different activities for both adults and kids or all together. Street festivals, parades, stage shows, music concerts and even opera nights at Al Wasl Opera. The visual arts exhibit will be a place for leading artists across the globe. Due to the world pandemic of coronavirus, there might be some changes in attractions, depending on the situation.  

Visitors will be able to taste different types of food during the exhibition. One of the key parts is a Multi-sensory restaurant that allows its newcomers to taste food that was made with innovative technologies. The Terra - The Sustainability Pavilion offers a menu that can manage limited food resources. Along with the mentioned food exhibits, there will be over 200 food outlets on the territory of the Expo. Expo 2020 is a place for architectural diversity. Visitors can take tours to learn about designs, pavilions and architecture within the exhibition territory.

Another feature is that World Expo guests will be able to experience a view from the top of the observation tower. The visitors with children can attend playgrounds made specifically for kids to play. Interactive exhibits, workshops and other activities are made for a fun and educational time-spending.