• Long queues form outside India's Pavilion at the Expo 2020 Dubai site. All photos: Khushnum Bhandari / The National
    Long queues form outside India's Pavilion at the Expo 2020 Dubai site. All photos: Khushnum Bhandari / The National
  • Queues outside Saudi fast-food restaurant Al Baik. The fried chicken brand opened its second UAE branch at the Expo site this month.
    Queues outside Saudi fast-food restaurant Al Baik. The fried chicken brand opened its second UAE branch at the Expo site this month.
  • People took the opportunity to visit the Expo site at the weekend.
    People took the opportunity to visit the Expo site at the weekend.
  • People wait to enter Lebanon's pavilion.
    People wait to enter Lebanon's pavilion.
  • The US pavilion attracted visitors.
    The US pavilion attracted visitors.
  • Italy's pavilion also proved a big draw.
    Italy's pavilion also proved a big draw.
  • There are several food stalls at the Expo site, meaning visitors can keep hydrated and enjoy tasty treats on the go.
    There are several food stalls at the Expo site, meaning visitors can keep hydrated and enjoy tasty treats on the go.
  • People take shelter from the sun outside Switzerland's pavilion.
    People take shelter from the sun outside Switzerland's pavilion.
  • Saudi Arabia's pavilion proved a popular attraction.
    Saudi Arabia's pavilion proved a popular attraction.
  • The UAE's long weekend proved to be the perfect time for many to visit Expo 2020 Dubai.
    The UAE's long weekend proved to be the perfect time for many to visit Expo 2020 Dubai.

Expo 2020 Dubai visitor numbers expected to reach one million mark in days


Nick Webster
  • English
  • Arabic

Follow the latest updates on Expo 2020 Dubai here

Visitor numbers at Expo 2020 Dubai are expected to pass the one million mark within days, organisers have said.

Before the long weekend, ticketed visits were well on course to reach the milestone figure — with 771,477 recorded between October 1 and October 17.

With a bumper weekend reported at the site, starting from the public holiday on Thursday, those numbers are expected to have swelled considerably since then.

“Looking at the numbers, hopefully we will be able to reach this number very soon,” said Mohamed Al Ansaari, vice president of strategic communications, on Sunday morning.

“Every Monday we will be sharing the number of visitors.

“We are very happy with the level of participation and visitors at different pavilions and events.”

  • Originally from Malaysia, Dubai residents, from left, Lai-mei Fong, Justin Tah, Kara Tah, Tah-Kok Fofo, Tah-Kok Hong and Rachel Chiang visit Expo 2020 Dubai. All photos: Khushnum Bhandari / The National
    Originally from Malaysia, Dubai residents, from left, Lai-mei Fong, Justin Tah, Kara Tah, Tah-Kok Fofo, Tah-Kok Hong and Rachel Chiang visit Expo 2020 Dubai. All photos: Khushnum Bhandari / The National
  • Tourists from Denmark, Stefan Tarp, 50, with sons Benjamin Tarp, 12, and William Tarp, 16, could not wait to explore the site.
    Tourists from Denmark, Stefan Tarp, 50, with sons Benjamin Tarp, 12, and William Tarp, 16, could not wait to explore the site.
  • Friends Raphel, Ashish Nair and Mujeeb Rahman check out the sights.
    Friends Raphel, Ashish Nair and Mujeeb Rahman check out the sights.
  • Family members Sridevi, left, Sreeram, centre, and Santosh Kumar visit the Expo for the first time.
    Family members Sridevi, left, Sreeram, centre, and Santosh Kumar visit the Expo for the first time.
  • Abu Dhabi resident Grace Sebastian and her sister Gelcy Sebastian arrive at the sprawling site.
    Abu Dhabi resident Grace Sebastian and her sister Gelcy Sebastian arrive at the sprawling site.
  • British couple Helene High, 52, a teacher, and Russell High, 55, a chartered accountant, drove from Abu Dhabi to visit the world's fair.
    British couple Helene High, 52, a teacher, and Russell High, 55, a chartered accountant, drove from Abu Dhabi to visit the world's fair.

There were queues at the site on Thursday and Friday, with the UAE, Saudi Arabia, US, Italy, India and Switzerland pavilions proving the most popular.

The number of visitors to the Expo had increased by 12 per cent in a week, when the last set of data was made available.

Figures include all physical ticket holders but exclude representatives, delegations, guests from international participants and Expo staff.

“The level of engagement here is not just about the numbers, but also the meaningful discussions happening,” said Mr Al Ansaari.

“We are truly happy with the numbers so far, and will reveal on Monday exactly what they are.”

Visitors can avoid long queues at popular pavilions by using the Smart Queue system to book a slot ahead of time.

In the first ten days Expo 2020 Dubai attracted more than 400,000 visitors, with about 300,000 dropping in the week after that.

The Expo is proving to have more than a day's worth of exploration on offer as more than 30,000 people have visited the site three times already, and over 100,000 have been there twice.

The world’s fair, which spans more than four square kilometres, has welcomed more than 175 nationalities since its opening week.

The specs
 
Engine: 3.0-litre six-cylinder turbo
Power: 398hp from 5,250rpm
Torque: 580Nm at 1,900-4,800rpm
Transmission: Eight-speed auto
Fuel economy, combined: 6.5L/100km
On sale: December
Price: From Dh330,000 (estimate)
The specs: 2019 Aston Martin DBS Superleggera

Price, base: Dh1.2 million

Engine: 5.2-litre twin-turbo V12

Transmission: Eight-speed automatic

Power: 725hp @ 6,500pm

Torque: 900Nm @ 1,800rpm

Fuel economy, combined:  12.3L / 100km (estimate)

The Cairo Statement

 1: Commit to countering all types of terrorism and extremism in all their manifestations

2: Denounce violence and the rhetoric of hatred

3: Adhere to the full compliance with the Riyadh accord of 2014 and the subsequent meeting and executive procedures approved in 2014 by the GCC  

4: Comply with all recommendations of the Summit between the US and Muslim countries held in May 2017 in Saudi Arabia.

5: Refrain from interfering in the internal affairs of countries and of supporting rogue entities.

6: Carry out the responsibility of all the countries with the international community to counter all manifestations of extremism and terrorism that threaten international peace and security

Dhadak 2

Director: Shazia Iqbal

Starring: Siddhant Chaturvedi, Triptii Dimri 

Rating: 1/5

How does ToTok work?

The calling app is available to download on Google Play and Apple App Store

To successfully install ToTok, users are asked to enter their phone number and then create a nickname.

The app then gives users the option add their existing phone contacts, allowing them to immediately contact people also using the application by video or voice call or via message.

Users can also invite other contacts to download ToTok to allow them to make contact through the app.

 

Stats at a glance:

Cost: 1.05 billion pounds (Dh 4.8 billion)

Number in service: 6

Complement 191 (space for up to 285)

Top speed: over 32 knots

Range: Over 7,000 nautical miles

Length 152.4 m

Displacement: 8,700 tonnes

Beam:   21.2 m

Draught: 7.4 m

Cricket World Cup League 2

UAE results
Lost to Oman by eight runs
Beat Namibia by three wickets
Lost to Oman by 12 runs
Beat Namibia by 43 runs

UAE fixtures
Free admission. All fixtures broadcast live on icc.tv

Tuesday March 15, v PNG at Sharjah Cricket Stadium
Friday March 18, v Nepal at Dubai International Stadium
Saturday March 19, v PNG at Dubai International Stadium
Monday March 21, v Nepal at Dubai International Stadium

Isle of Dogs

Director: Wes Anderson

Starring: Bryan Cranston, Liev Schreiber, Ed Norton, Greta Gerwig, Bill Murray, Jeff Goldblum, Scarlett Johansson

Three stars

Updated: October 24, 2021, 9:52 AM