An additional three million international visitors were expected to visit the United Arab Emirates during Expo 2020, with arrivals from India, Saudi Arabia, Philippines, the UK and Pakistan driving this influx, according to the latest data released ahead of Arabian Travel Market 2020.
Scheduled to run from 20 October 2020 to 10 April 2021 in Dubai, the six months-long world expo still has a chance of running to plan if the current global health crisis can be contained before then.Cover photo, Judy Barford; images of ATM 2019 courtesy of Arabian Travel Market.
At present, the Middle East and Africa remain the overall top source markets for the UAE, but there appears to be a changing dynamic with the Asia-Pacific market set to become the largest source of arrivals in the UAE, driven largely by the populous Indian subcontinent.
The introduction of a new multi-entry five-year tourist visa will not only drive more frequent travel to the country and longer stays, but it will also allow for a whole range of new airline routes, making the country more accessible to a host of first-time tourists from emerging markets.
Supporting the UAE vision
Expo 2020 Dubai has been described as a celebration of human brilliance and achievement – an opportunity for people to connect from different corners of the world, to experience the best of art, culture, geography, science, technology, innovation and invention and to set into motion millions of new thoughts and ideas that will make a lasting impact in our lives.
It will also be a celebration of the UAE Vision 2021 by supporting the growth of tourism, stimulating the development of innovative businesses in the UAE, and enhancing the country's international reputation as a location to do business. It will focus on the power of youth and unlock the potential of one of the world's youngest and fastest growing populations.
First world expo in the region
Expo 2020 Dubai is the first world expo to be held in the Middle East, Africa and South Asia (MEASA) region, and the first to be hosted by an Arab nation. It also coincides with the UAE's 50th anniversary in 2021, marking an important milestone for the UAE.
As the UAE gears up to welcome 25 million visitors for Expo 2020, the country's hospitality sector will play a major role in ensuring the success of the global event, as well as securing a significant number of travellers who will be keen to return to the Emirates for a visit post-Expo.
According to the latest data, Dubai had more than 120,000 hotel rooms as of last month with a goal of completing 160,000 hotel rooms by October, to meet the anticipated demand generated by Expo 2020.
Arabian Travel Market
Arabian Travel Market (ATM) is a travel and tourism event, organized annually in Dubai to provide a platform for inbound and outbound tourism professionals in the Middle East. It was scheduled to be held from 19 to 22 April at the Dubai World Trade Centre, but is currently postponed until 28 June to 1 July.