• 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
    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.
    Children make a splash at Expo 2020 Dubai.
  • Visitors record footage of Expo attractions as souvenirs of the event.
    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.
    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 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.
    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.
    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.
    Visitors line up to visit the Palestine pavilion.
  • Expo visitors explore the site and enjoy the atmosphere.
    Expo visitors explore the site and enjoy the atmosphere.
  • The German pavilion has been one of the most popular at Expo 2020 Dubai.
    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.
    Expo 2020 Dubai is the place to be and to be seen.
  • Visitors enjoy a day out at Expo 2020 Dubai.
    Visitors enjoy a day out at Expo 2020 Dubai.
  • Young Expo visitors make racing cars at the Family Place.
    Young Expo visitors make racing cars at the Family Place.
  • A family having fun at the Expo.
    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.
    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 accelerates recovery of UAE's aviation, tourism and hotel sectors


Deena Kamel
  • English
  • Arabic

Expo 2020 has accelerated recovery of the UAE's tourism, aviation and hospitality sectors from the pandemic, helped by the country's effective management of Covid-19 and by easing travel restrictions globally.

Leisure and business travel, hotel occupancy rates, room revenue and footfall at shopping malls improved because of the influx of tourists drawn to the six-month mega event ending March 31, analysts said.

Emirates, Dubai's home airline, recorded healthy seat load factors and strong travel demand to the emirate across its network during Expo, Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Emirates group chairman and chief executive, told The National.

"This is due to a combination of factors, including the UAE’s successful management of Covid-19, which was critical to many countries quickly easing travel restrictions to and from Dubai and building traveller confidence," he said. "Interestingly, Emirates has noted an increase in first-time visitors to Dubai among our customers during the past months, which shows the pull of Expo 2020 and strong traveller interest in Dubai."

Dubai International Airport, the world's busiest international airport and Emirates' base, recorded in 2021 its busiest fourth quarter since the pandemic, with Expo being one of the key contributors to passenger traffic of 11.8 million.

During the Expo, Emirates recorded healthy seat load factors and strong demand for travel to Dubai across our network
Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum,
Emirates group chairman and chief executive

"It highlighted the UAE’s and Dubai’s exemplary handling of the pandemic while underscoring Dubai’s emergence as a global destination of choice for hosting major international events," said Paul Griffiths, chief executive of operator Dubai Airports. "The event contributed greatly to the overall social and economic recovery within and outside the UAE and benefited the local tourism, hospitality and travel sectors, helping them consolidate their growth."

Expo 2020, one of the world's biggest in-person events since the pandemic, is nearing 21 million visits, with organisers expecting visit numbers to surge further in the final days of the event, inching towards a pre-pandemic target of 25 million. About 30 per cent of the total Expo visitor numbers have been from overseas.

During the week ending March 12, the UAE hotel occupancy rate of 85 per cent was the highest in the world, as it has been over the past four weeks, compared with a global rate of 50.8 per cent, according to the latest report from hospitality analytics provider STR.

'Remarkable' tourism rebound

"The impact of Expo 2020 can be felt reverberating throughout the city – not just in the remarkable tourism rebound – but also in generating numerous business and investment opportunities," Issam Kazim, chief executive of Dubai Corporation for Tourism & Commerce Marketing (DTCM), told The National. "Since Expo 2020 opened on October 1, 2021, Dubai has witnessed a boost in business and leisure tourism, contributing to the exceptional tourism performance the city experienced during the 12 months of 2021."

International visitors to the emirate passed 3.4 million in the fourth quarter of 2021, when Expo was in full swing, representing 74 per cent of the total pre-pandemic tourist arrivals in the same period in 2019. Dubai hosted 7.28 million international overnight visitors between January and December 2021.

"As the first global mega event open to the public since the onset of the pandemic, Expo 2020 established a new precedent for World Expos," Mr Kazim said. The event built an important legacy for the UAE and the Middle East, North Africa, and South Asia region, he said.

Dubai, the Middle East's travel, trade and finance hub known for its glitzy hotels, sprawling shopping malls and swanky restaurants, relied on the tourism industry for 11.6 per cent of its GDP in 2019.

Hotels record higher and consistent demand

The $7 billion world fair kept UAE hotels busy from October to March.

Abu Dhabi-based hotel operator Rotana recorded substantial growth in RevPar during these six months across the UAE, exceeding pre-pandemic levels, Guy Hutchinson, president and chief executive of Rotana, told The National.

"Expo came at a perfect time to reaffirm Dubai’s position as a safe, Covid-protected and well-managed travel destination, and ignited global and regional demand for the UAE when pent-up travel demand was at a peak," he said.

Dubai hotels' performance metrics have "consistently remained high" from October to date, recording strong demand and a "noticeable rise" in average daily rates, said Kostas Nikolaidis, STR’s account executive for Middle East and Africa.

While demand in most big cities fluctuates during the week as the business and leisure mix changes, Expo 2020 provided elevated and consistent demand throughout the entire week since the world trade fair started, he said.

"That has been hard to achieve pre-Expo and even pre-Covid during the best of times," Mr Nikolaidis said.

Dubai hotels' performance exceeded expectations, particularly during the first and final months of the event, with average daily room rates nearing Dh1,000 in October, he said.

"Expo 2020 will always be a case study of an event and a destination that delivered on point – and all that during a global pandemic too," Mr Nikolaidis said.

The 131,745 hotel rooms sold on February 24 is a record high for Dubai, underscoring the magnitude of the event, and could yet be broken again in the days until March-end, according to STR.

"Being able to sell all these rooms and reach high occupancies with expanded room inventory is a big achievement," Mr Nikolaidis said. Since 2019, about 16,487 additional rooms came to market with several new hotel openings.

Hosting Expo has provided a "vital boost" for the tourism and aviation sectors, building on the recovery supported by strong management of the pandemic and global easing of travel restrictions, said Monica Malik, chief economist at Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank.

"The tourism, hospitality and aviation sectors saw robust activity in early 2022 with the further easing of international restrictions and strong pent-up demand," she said. "However, global challenges have increased, which is likely to provide headwinds for these areas."

  • The UAE pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai. Victor Besa / The National
    The UAE pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai. Victor Besa / The National
  • View from the Garden in the Sky at Expo 2020. Antonie Robertson / The National
    View from the Garden in the Sky at Expo 2020. Antonie Robertson / The National
  • Cristiano Ronaldo taking a selfie with fans after a Q&A session for Expo’s Health and Wellness Week at the Al Wasl Plaza. Pawan Singh / The National
    Cristiano Ronaldo taking a selfie with fans after a Q&A session for Expo’s Health and Wellness Week at the Al Wasl Plaza. Pawan Singh / The National
  • A young guest enjoys the spectacular light show at Al Wasl Plaza. Victor Besa / The National
    A young guest enjoys the spectacular light show at Al Wasl Plaza. Victor Besa / The National
  • The flowing contours of the UAE pavilion. Victor Besa / The National
    The flowing contours of the UAE pavilion. Victor Besa / The National
  • Visitors follow a foggy path to the summit of the Swiss pavilion. Pawan Singh / The National
    Visitors follow a foggy path to the summit of the Swiss pavilion. Pawan Singh / The National
  • Infinite Nights: Coldplay perform at Expo. Photo: Expo 2020 Dubai
    Infinite Nights: Coldplay perform at Expo. Photo: Expo 2020 Dubai
  • Tricolours to the fore as France marks its Expo celebration day. Chris Whiteoak / The National
    Tricolours to the fore as France marks its Expo celebration day. Chris Whiteoak / The National
  • The Saudi pavilion lit up at night. Chris Whiteoak / The National
    The Saudi pavilion lit up at night. Chris Whiteoak / The National
  • The French pavilion features a projection of 'The Rose', a 13th-century stained-glass window from Notre Dame cathedral in Paris. Chris Whiteoak / The National
    The French pavilion features a projection of 'The Rose', a 13th-century stained-glass window from Notre Dame cathedral in Paris. Chris Whiteoak / The National
  • Dubai opened Expo 2020 with a dazzling ceremony featuring fireworks and light displays. AFP
    Dubai opened Expo 2020 with a dazzling ceremony featuring fireworks and light displays. AFP
  • A young visitor checks out the Expo's popular water feature. Pawan Singh / The National
    A young visitor checks out the Expo's popular water feature. Pawan Singh / The National
  • Students from Abu Dhabi Police Academy at Al Wasl Plaza. Pawan Singh / The National
    Students from Abu Dhabi Police Academy at Al Wasl Plaza. Pawan Singh / The National
  • Aerial view of a calligraphy bench. Photo: Expo 2020 Dubai
    Aerial view of a calligraphy bench. Photo: Expo 2020 Dubai
  • A visitor takes a picture of the spectacular Mobility Pavilion. Chris Whiteoak / The National
    A visitor takes a picture of the spectacular Mobility Pavilion. Chris Whiteoak / The National
  • Aerial view of Luxembourg's pavilion. Photo: Expo 2020 Dubai
    Aerial view of Luxembourg's pavilion. Photo: Expo 2020 Dubai
  • An aerobatics team pass above the Pakistan pavilion. Khushnum Bhandari / The National
    An aerobatics team pass above the Pakistan pavilion. Khushnum Bhandari / The National
  • Inside the Malaysia pavilion. Pawan Singh / The National
    Inside the Malaysia pavilion. Pawan Singh / The National
  • The Al Wasl dome is displayed with different faces at the Police Academy Graduation in celebration of the country's 50th anniversary. Ruel Pableo / The National
    The Al Wasl dome is displayed with different faces at the Police Academy Graduation in celebration of the country's 50th anniversary. Ruel Pableo / The National
  • A young visitor stands in front of 'Fluidum', a kinetic statue made up of 85 robotically controlled mirrors, representing a vertical water surface, at the Czech pavilion. Khushnum Bhandari / The National
    A young visitor stands in front of 'Fluidum', a kinetic statue made up of 85 robotically controlled mirrors, representing a vertical water surface, at the Czech pavilion. Khushnum Bhandari / The National
  • The Mare and the Foal sculpture outside Alif - The Mobility Pavilion. Photo: Expo 2020 Dubai
    The Mare and the Foal sculpture outside Alif - The Mobility Pavilion. Photo: Expo 2020 Dubai
  • Night view of Terra - The Sustainability Pavilion. Photo: Expo 2020 Dubai
    Night view of Terra - The Sustainability Pavilion. Photo: Expo 2020 Dubai
  • The Women's Pavilion by Cartier. Antonie Robertson / The National
    The Women's Pavilion by Cartier. Antonie Robertson / The National
  • Exterior detail of Kazakhstan's pavilion. Photo: Expo 2020 Dubai
    Exterior detail of Kazakhstan's pavilion. Photo: Expo 2020 Dubai
  • A school group inside the UAE pavilion holding Expo passports. Photo: Expo 2020 Dubai
    A school group inside the UAE pavilion holding Expo passports. Photo: Expo 2020 Dubai
  • The Water Feature. Photo: Expo 2020 Dubai
    The Water Feature. Photo: Expo 2020 Dubai
  • Al Wasl on a foggy morning. Photo: Expo 2020 Dubai
    Al Wasl on a foggy morning. Photo: Expo 2020 Dubai
  • Visitors at the Montenegro pavilion. Photo: Expo 2020 Dubai
    Visitors at the Montenegro pavilion. Photo: Expo 2020 Dubai
  • The Kuwait pavilion. Photo: Expo 2020 Dubai
    The Kuwait pavilion. Photo: Expo 2020 Dubai
  • Artists performing during the UAE’s 50th National Day celebration at the Al Wasl plaza. Pawan Singh / The National
    Artists performing during the UAE’s 50th National Day celebration at the Al Wasl plaza. Pawan Singh / The National
  • A visitor inside the ‘Gorge’ at Finland's pavilion. Photo: Expo 2020 Dubai
    A visitor inside the ‘Gorge’ at Finland's pavilion. Photo: Expo 2020 Dubai
  • Fireworks seen from The Mobility Portal. Photo: Expo 2020 Dubai
    Fireworks seen from The Mobility Portal. Photo: Expo 2020 Dubai
  • The opening ceremony. Photo: Expo 2020 Dubai
    The opening ceremony. Photo: Expo 2020 Dubai
  • Exterior of the Poland pavilion. Photo: Expo 2020 Dubai
    Exterior of the Poland pavilion. Photo: Expo 2020 Dubai
  • Infinite Nights: Alicia Keys at Al Wasl. Photo: Expo 2020 Dubai
    Infinite Nights: Alicia Keys at Al Wasl. Photo: Expo 2020 Dubai
  • The UK pavilion. Photo: Expo 2020 Dubai
    The UK pavilion. Photo: Expo 2020 Dubai
  • The Singapore pavilion. Photo: Expo 2020 Dubai
    The Singapore pavilion. Photo: Expo 2020 Dubai
  • The Bahrain pavilion. Pawan Singh / The National
    The Bahrain pavilion. Pawan Singh / The National
  • The Saudi Arabia pavilion. Photo: Expo 2020 Dubai
    The Saudi Arabia pavilion. Photo: Expo 2020 Dubai
  • Opening ceremony dress rehearsal. Photo: Expo 2020 Dubai
    Opening ceremony dress rehearsal. Photo: Expo 2020 Dubai
  • Firework display during UAE National Day and the Golden Jubilee celebrations. Photo: Expo 2020 Dubai
    Firework display during UAE National Day and the Golden Jubilee celebrations. Photo: Expo 2020 Dubai
  • Aerial view of the UK pavilion. Photo: Expo 2020 Dubai
    Aerial view of the UK pavilion. Photo: Expo 2020 Dubai
  • The Russia pavilion. Photo: Expo 2020 Dubai
    The Russia pavilion. Photo: Expo 2020 Dubai
  • The Monaco pavilion. The entrance is based on a kaleidoscope. Chris Whiteoak / The National
    The Monaco pavilion. The entrance is based on a kaleidoscope. Chris Whiteoak / The National
  • The installation celebrating the UAE Golden Jubilee at the Mobility Pavilion. Photo: Expo 2020 Dubai
    The installation celebrating the UAE Golden Jubilee at the Mobility Pavilion. Photo: Expo 2020 Dubai
  • The UAE pavilion on a foggy morning. Photo: Expo 2020 Dubai
    The UAE pavilion on a foggy morning. Photo: Expo 2020 Dubai
  • Turkmenistan's pavilion. Photo: Expo 2020 Dubai
    Turkmenistan's pavilion. Photo: Expo 2020 Dubai
  • Visitors outside Switzerland's pavilion. Photo: Expo 2020 Dubai
    Visitors outside Switzerland's pavilion. Photo: Expo 2020 Dubai
  • Junaid Mohammed proposes to Hiba Zubair at the Water Feature. Photo: Expo 2020 Dubai
    Junaid Mohammed proposes to Hiba Zubair at the Water Feature. Photo: Expo 2020 Dubai
  • The US pavilion is reflected in a visitor's sunglasses. Photo: Expo 2020 Dubai
    The US pavilion is reflected in a visitor's sunglasses. Photo: Expo 2020 Dubai

Post-Expo forecast

The boost from Expo 2020 is setting the tone for an optimistic outlook for the rest of the year as the tourism, aviation and hospitality industries seek to build on that momentum, officials, analysts and executives said.

The effects of Covid-19 are easing after a sharp resurgence late last year when the Omicron variant spread globally, but the Russia-Ukraine war may pose challenges for tourism, said Shady Elborno, head of macro strategy at Emirates NBD.

"Geopolitical tensions in Eastern Europe may cause some headwinds to tourist arrivals from that region, [but] given the fluidity of the situation it will be difficult to ascertain the exact impact," he said. "Given Dubai remains geographically isolated from the tensions, the wider trends of global travel recovery are likely to drive growth in tourism from other markets."

After a growth spike during Expo, the hospitality sector in the next few months is forecast to consolidate during Ramadan in April and the traditionally slower summer months, operating near pre-pandemic levels before picking up again in the fourth quarter, Mr Nikolaidis said.

The Fifa World Cup in Qatar in November will boost demand to Doha, but also for the key transit hubs of Dubai and Abu Dhabi, Mr Hutchinson said.

"We've seen our hotels thrive and we remain very optimistic that growth rates will stay strong throughout the year as the UAE continues to lead global recovery in the hospitality industry," he said.

Dubai hotels are forecast to be the busiest in the region this year, with occupancy rates as high as 74 per cent in areas such as Dubai Creek and Festival City, according to Colliers.

The UAE expects more hotel supply to meet future demand, said Helal Al Marri, director general of the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism. He did not provide forecast figures.

"We see our big challenge is going to be 'can we build enough hotels?' The forecast for demand requires us to do a significant increase in the number of hotels in the UAE. We're going to see a lot in that area," Mr Al Marri said.

For Dubai International Airport, the slower travel month of Ramadan and the closure of the northern runway for upgrades for 45 days starting on May 9, will affect the second quarter of 2022, Mr Griffiths said.

"The outlook for the second quarter, however, remains optimistic thanks to the pent-up demand as well as the return of normal operations in key markets such as India and further easing of travel regulations around the world," he said.

In 2022, Dubai will "build on the impetus provided by Expo 2020 to further accelerate momentum and deliver sustainable economic growth", Mr Kazim said.

RACECARD
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Key developments

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Tips for newlyweds to better manage finances

All couples are unique and have to create a financial blueprint that is most suitable for their relationship, says Vijay Valecha, chief investment officer at Century Financial. He offers his top five tips for couples to better manage their finances.

Discuss your assets and debts: When married, it’s important to understand each other’s personal financial situation. It’s necessary to know upfront what each party brings to the table, as debts and assets affect spending habits and joint loan qualifications. Discussing all aspects of their finances as a couple prevents anyone from being blindsided later.

Decide on the financial/saving goals: Spouses should independently list their top goals and share their lists with one another to shape a joint plan. Writing down clear goals will help them determine how much to save each month, how much to put aside for short-term goals, and how they will reach their long-term financial goals.

Set a budget: A budget can keep the couple be mindful of their income and expenses. With a monthly budget, couples will know exactly how much they can spend in a category each month, how much they have to work with and what spending areas need to be evaluated.

Decide who manages what: When it comes to handling finances, it’s a good idea to decide who manages what. For example, one person might take on the day-to-day bills, while the other tackles long-term investments and retirement plans.

Money date nights: Talking about money should be a healthy, ongoing conversation and couples should not wait for something to go wrong. They should set time aside every month to talk about future financial decisions and see the progress they’ve made together towards accomplishing their goals.

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From exhibitions to the battlefield

In 2016, the Shaded Dome was awarded with the 'De Vernufteling' people's choice award, an annual prize by the Dutch Association of Consulting Engineers and the Royal Netherlands Society of Engineers for the most innovative project by a Dutch engineering firm.

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Nepotism is the name of the game

Salman Khan’s father, Salim Khan, is one of Bollywood’s most legendary screenwriters. Through his partnership with co-writer Javed Akhtar, Salim is credited with having paved the path for the Indian film industry’s blockbuster format in the 1970s. Something his son now rules the roost of. More importantly, the Salim-Javed duo also created the persona of the “angry young man” for Bollywood megastar Amitabh Bachchan in the 1970s, reflecting the angst of the average Indian. In choosing to be the ordinary man’s “hero” as opposed to a thespian in new Bollywood, Salman Khan remains tightly linked to his father’s oeuvre. Thanks dad. 

Tributes from the UAE's personal finance community

• Sebastien Aguilar, who heads SimplyFI.org, a non-profit community where people learn to invest Bogleheads’ style

“It is thanks to Jack Bogle’s work that this community exists and thanks to his work that many investors now get the full benefits of long term, buy and hold stock market investing.

Compared to the industry, investing using the common sense approach of a Boglehead saves a lot in costs and guarantees higher returns than the average actively managed fund over the long term. 

From a personal perspective, learning how to invest using Bogle’s approach was a turning point in my life. I quickly realised there was no point chasing returns and paying expensive advisers or platforms. Once money is taken care off, you can work on what truly matters, such as family, relationships or other projects. I owe Jack Bogle for that.”

• Sam Instone, director of financial advisory firm AES International

"Thought to have saved investors over a trillion dollars, Jack Bogle’s ideas truly changed the way the world invests. Shaped by his own personal experiences, his philosophy and basic rules for investors challenged the status quo of a self-interested global industry and eventually prevailed.  Loathed by many big companies and commission-driven salespeople, he has transformed the way well-informed investors and professional advisers make decisions."

• Demos Kyprianou, a board member of SimplyFI.org

"Jack Bogle for me was a rebel, a revolutionary who changed the industry and gave the little guy like me, a chance. He was also a mentor who inspired me to take the leap and take control of my own finances."

• Steve Cronin, founder of DeadSimpleSaving.com

"Obsessed with reducing fees, Jack Bogle structured Vanguard to be owned by its clients – that way the priority would be fee minimisation for clients rather than profit maximisation for the company.

His real gift to us has been the ability to invest in the stock market (buy and hold for the long term) rather than be forced to speculate (try to make profits in the shorter term) or even worse have others speculate on our behalf.

Bogle has given countless investors the ability to get on with their life while growing their wealth in the background as fast as possible. The Financial Independence movement would barely exist without this."

• Zach Holz, who blogs about financial independence at The Happiest Teacher

"Jack Bogle was one of the greatest forces for wealth democratisation the world has ever seen.  He allowed people a way to be free from the parasitical "financial advisers" whose only real concern are the fat fees they get from selling you over-complicated "products" that have caused millions of people all around the world real harm.”

• Tuan Phan, a board member of SimplyFI.org

"In an industry that’s synonymous with greed, Jack Bogle was a lone wolf, swimming against the tide. When others were incentivised to enrich themselves, he stood by the ‘fiduciary’ standard – something that is badly needed in the financial industry of the UAE."

India team for Sri Lanka series

Test squad: Rohit Sharma (captain), Priyank Panchal, Mayank Agarwal, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, Hanuma Vihari, Shubhman Gill, Rishabh Pant (wk), KS Bharath (wk), Ravindra Jadeja, Jayant Yadav, Ravichandran Ashwin, Kuldeep Yadav, Sourabh Kumar, Mohammed Siraj, Umesh Yadav, Mohammed Shami, Jasprit Bumrah.

T20 squad: Rohit Sharma (captain), Ruturaj Gaikwad, Shreyas Iyer, Surya Kumar Yadav, Sanju Samson, Ishan Kishan (wk), Venkatesh Iyer, Deepak Chahar, Deepak Hooda, Ravindra Jadeja, Yuzvendra Chahal, Ravi Bishnoi, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Harshal Patel, Jasprit Bumrah, Avesh Khan

Updated: March 28, 2022, 5:21 AM