Expo 2020 Dubai is closing in on 21 million visits with ten days to go until the mega event closes its doors to the public.
The world's fair enjoyed its biggest week yet with about 1.8 million visits as people flocked to the site.
A packed programme of activities helped to bolster visit numbers over the past seven days, with an array of entertainment still to come.
Visit numbers now stand at 20,819,155, with virtual visits at 197 million.
Organisers had set a 25-million-visit target before the start of the six-month extravaganza in October.
Sconaid McGeachin, senior vice president of communications at Expo 2020 Dubai, lauded the visit numbers achieved against the backdrop of the Covid-19 pandemic.
“It is such a remarkable achievement to exceed 20 million visits,” she said.
“It is remarkable at any time, but particularly in pandemic times.
“We've seen a phenomenal amount [of visitors] in the last week. Each week, the amount goes up.
“It was 1.8 million last week, an absolutely fantastic response.”
A number of individual country pavilions have exceeded 1 million visits during Expo, with the likes of Saudi Arabia, Japan and Germany proving particularly popular.
A string of high-profile concerts and visits by prominent figures such as the UK's Prince William and sporting royalty including Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi and Novak Djokovic have also helped to drive interest in recent months.
As with previous Expos, visit numbers have surged in the second half of the event.
On Saturday, organisers announced Expo had hit the milestone 20-million-visit target.
The achievement meant the event had doubled its visit numbers in two months, having hit the 10 million mark on January 18.
Excitement builds for finale
Expo organisers expect visit numbers to surge further in the final days of the event.
Music star Jason Derulo will entertain fans at the Jubilee Stage on Friday, the latest in a line-up of live attractions which has included Coldplay and Alicia Keys.
Meanwhile, thousands of leaders, experts and senior officials from 190 countries will gather at Expo next week to help shape the post-pandemic agenda on sustainability, health care, economic recovery and the cities of the future.
The World Government Summit will take place at the Dubai Exhibition Centre in the heart of the vast world's fair site on March 29 and 30.
This year's summit will feature 15 conferences aimed at defining the future of agile governance.
They will include the first hosting of the Time 100 Gala outside the US. The gala celebrates the world’s most influential people.
The Forbes 30 Under 30 event will be in the line-up, along with the Global Crypto Forum, the Arab Meeting for Young Leaders, the Arab Government Administration Forum and the Global Metaverse Forum.
Closing ceremony will look to future
As the finishing line for the international gathering is now in sight, thoughts are turning to the closing ceremony.
A spectacular opening ceremony in October set the tone for the festivities to come.
The curtain is set to be brought down on the event in style, though organisers are not giving too much away about what Expo enthusiasts can expect.
“It will be reflective of Expo but will also be looking ahead,” said Ms McGeachin.
Expo 2020 Dubai — in pictures
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The UAE pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai. Victor Besa/ The National. -
The UAE pavilion’s 'falcon taking flight' concept was developed by Spanish architect Santiago Calatrava. Victor Besa/ The National. -
The interior of the pavilion portrays the UAE's rich cultural legacy, community stories, the values of its people, its deep-rooted history and the leadership’s vision for the future. Antonie Robertson / The National -
The UAE pavilion has been a favourite with world leaders and visitors. Victor Besa/ The National. -
Crowds gather outside the Saudi Arabia pavilion. Chris Whiteoak / The National -
Covering an area the size of two football fields, the Saudi pavilion resembles a giant window opening to the sky. Photo: Expo 2020 Dubai -
Turkmenistan's pavilion, where visitors are accompanied by virtual Akhal-Teke horses. Photo: Expo 2020 -
The interior of Turkmenistan's pavilion. Expo 2020 -
South Korea's pavilion is located in the Mobility District. Antonie Robertson / The National -
South Korea's pavilion features a facade that constantly changes throughout the day, based on its surroundings. Pawan Singh/The National. -
Thousands of flowers cover the outer shell of the Thailand pavilion as regular dance and cultural shows entertain visitors. Photo: Expo 2020 -
Models of gold and red dragon boats greet visitors, after which short films showcase trade and technology in Thailand. Photo: Expo 2020 -
The interior of Thailand's pavilion. Photo: Expo 2020 -
The exterior of the Kazakhstan pavilion. Photo: Expo 2020 -
'Unlimited Space', unique show about the future of mankind, at the Kazakhstan pavilion. Khushnum Bhandari/ The National -
The India pavilion is among the most popular at Expo, with more than one million visits since the event opened on October 1. -
The ground floor of India's pavilion focuses on space and yoga. -
Pakistan's striking pavilion has also been popular with visitors to the world's fair. -
The Shesha Mahal, a hand-crafted mirror artwork at the Pakistan pavilion. -
Beams of green light are cast on to the ceiling at the Pakistan pavilion to highlight the country's Billion Trees campaign. -
China's pavilion is more than 23 metres high and covers 4,636 square metres. Photo: Expo 2020 -
Modelled on a traditional lantern and built using LED lamp panels, the pavilion is called 'Light of China' and symbolises reunion and hope. Photo: Expo 2020 -
The interior of Vietnam's pavilion. Photo: Expo 2020 -
The Vietnam pavilion marries traditional elements with contemporary references. Photo: Expo 2020 -
The Syria pavilion is located in the Mobility District. Photo: Expo 2020 -
Syria, home to one of the world's oldest civilisations, showcases a rich artistic and cultural heritage at its pavilion. Photo: Expo 2020 -
Visitors inside the Syria Pavilion. Photo: Expo 2020 -
Kuwait's pavilion has a futuristic designs. Photo: Expo 2020 -
The pavilion offers visitors an opportunity to understand the history, cultural heritage and achievements of Kuwait. -
Visitors inside Kuwait's pavilion. Photo: Expo 2020 -
Tajikistan's pavilion. Photo: Expo 2020 -
Tajikistan's pavilion highlights the harmony of human life with nature using the source of life: water. Photo: Expo 2020 -
The Qatar pavilion. Photo: Expo 2020 -
A holographic display on the coming World Cup at the Qatar pavilion. Pawan Singh/The National -
The Nepal pavilion. Photo: Expo 2020 -
Nepal's pavilion offers visitors a chance to relive the physical and spiritual journey of travellers on the ancient India-Nepal-China route. Photo: Expo 2020 -
The Myanmar pavilion. Photo: Expo 2020 -
Myanmar's pavilion incorporates unique wooden architecture and showcases the significant culture, deep history and values of its people. Photo: Expo 2020 -
The interior of the Timor-Leste pavilion. Photo: Expo 2020 -
A traditional 'Kind Face' sculpture at Sri Lanka's pavilion. Chris Whiteoak / The National -
The Mongolia pavilion. Photo: Expo 2020 -
The Kyrgyzstan pavilion. Photo: Expo 2020 -
Kyrgyzstan's pavilion allows visitors to explore the country's history, traditions and cultural heritage. Photo: Expo 2020 -
The Laos pavilion. Photo: Expo 2020 -
The Cambodia pavilion. Photo: Expo 2020 -
The pavilion highlight's Cambodia's traditions and its vision for a sustainable future. Photo: Expo 2020 -
Oman's pavilion. Photo: Expo 2020 -
Visitors to the Omani pavilion learn about water management. Chris Whiteoak / The National -
Visitors at the Oman Pavilion in Expo 2020, Expo 2020 Dubai. Christophe Viseux/Expo 2020 Dubai -
The Brunei pavilion. Photo: Expo 2020 -
Brunei offers visitors to its pavilion an opportunity to glimpse into its past, present and future, and also celebrate its culture. Photo: Expo 2020 -
The Bhutan pavilion. Photo: Expo 2020 -
The Bangladesh pavilion. Photo: Expo 2020 -
The Bahrain pavilion. Pawan Singh/The National. -
Visitors to the Bahrain pavilion will feel as if they are walking through a dense forest. Pawan Singh/The National. -
The Iran pavilion. Photo: Expo 2020 -
The interior of the Iran pavilion. Photo: Expo 2020 -
Iran Pavilion, Expo 2020 Dubai. Suneesh Sudhakaran/Expo 2020 Dubai -
Yemen's pavilion. Photo: Expo 2020 -
Yemen's pavilion offers visitors a chance to see how 'ancient and modern knowledge connects to bring about future achievements'. -
Lebanon's pavilion. Photo: Expo 2020 -
Lebanon's pavilion celebrates the country’s most valuable resource: its people. Photo: Expo 2020 -
Jordan's pavilion. Photo: Expo 2020 -
Jordan offers visitors the chance to embark a virtual journey through a canyon linking the desert city of Petra. Photo: Expo 2020 -
The Bangladesh pavilion showcases sustainable, eco-friendly handicrafts and jute products. Photo: Expo 2020 -
The Israel pavilion. Photo: Expo 2020 -
Israel's pavilion offers a 360-degree immersive show on a 250-square-metre screen that highlights the country's innovations for a better future. Photo: Expo 2020 -
The interior of Israel's pavilion. Photo: Expo 2020 -
Visitors outside the Iraq Pavilion, Expo 2020 Dubai. David Koriako/Expo 2020 Dubai -
Iraq's pavilion was designed by RAW-NYC Architects and is located in the Opportunity district. Photo: Expo 2020 -
The Uzbekistan pavilion. Pawan Singh/The National -
Lanterns light up the interior of Uzbekistan's pavilion. Pawan Singh / The National -
The Japan pavilion. Victor Besa / The National -
Japan offers a promise of an immersive encounter, specifically tailored to each individual’s interest, at its pavilion. Victor Besa / The National -
The Azerbaijan pavilion was designed by Elisa Ruggeri. Pawan Singh / The National -
Azerbaijan's pavilion is located in the Sustainability District. Khushnum Bhandari / The National -
Visitors inside Armenia's pavilion. Khushnum Bhandari / The National -
The Singapore pavilion. Chris Whiteoak / The National -
Singapore's pavilion features the Dipterocarp seed kinetic sculpture inside the structure's Rainforest Cone. -
The Philippine pavilion. Pawan Singh / The National -
An interior view of the Philippine pavilion. Pawan Singh / The National -
Different craft on display at the Afghanistan pavilion. Pawan Singh / The National -
The Maldives pavilion. Khushnum Bhandari / The National -
The Palestine pavilion. Pawan Singh / The National -
Visitors will learn about Palestine's deep history and ancient buildings as they take an lift ride that simulates rising high above the bustling streets of Jerusalem. Pawan Singh / The National -
Indonesia's pavilion. -
A miniature version of a ship used during the days of the spice trade, at the Indonesia pavilion. -
The Malaysia pavilion. Pawan Singh / The National -
The interior of Malaysia's pavilion. Pawan Singh/The National
