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More than one million visits in one week: Expo 2020 Dubai visits soar to 13.5 million
Visitors have embraced the urgency of the 'Now or never, before it's gone forever' mantra
Visitors on Valentine’s Day at Al Wasl, Expo 2020 Dubai. (Photo: Expo 2020 Dubai)
An extraordinary week at Expo 2020 Dubai, packed with performances and high-profile visits, has seen the number of weekly visits pass the one million mark for the first time since the site opened over 19 weeks ago, climbing to a total of 13,457,400 as of February 14.
With six more weeks to go, visitors have embraced the urgency of the 'Now or never, before it's gone forever' mantra.
Residents and tourists are attracted to the line-up of new venues, the ever-expanding list of sports and music stars confirmed to attend, and the rollcall of countries set to showcase their National Day celebrations over the coming weeks.
Among the highlights last week were UK National Day on February 10, with Prince William, Duke of Cambridge, attending the pageantry and welcomed by His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of The Dubai Executive Council.
The Philippines celebrated its National Day the following day, which included a concert in Jubilee Park by Filipino American pop icon Bamboo and a cultural performance by Daluyong ng Diwa, depicting the 4000-year history of the Filipino people.
Grammy-nominated South African DJ, producer and songwriter Black Coffee showcased Expo 2020 Dubai's latest venue – the Dubai Exhibition Centre (DEC) Arena – while musical ensemble Thaikkudam Bridge, and Bollywood superstar Ranbir Kapoor attracted thousands of Indian fans to the familiar surroundings of the Jubilee Stage last weekend.
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International Day for Girls and Women in Science on February 11 saw the gathering of global female experts to discuss how to ensure gender equality and accessibility for all in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM).
Visitors outside the Alif - The Mobility Pavilion on Valentine’s Day at Expo, Expo 2020 Dubai. Photo: Expo 2020 Dubai
Global leadership icon and former CEO and Chairman of PepsiCo Indra Nooyi joined Reem Al Hashimy, UAE Minister of State for International Cooperation and Director General, Expo 2020 Dubai for 'Global Leadership: Work, Family, and our Future', an Emirates Festival of Literature panel discussion that showed how women's education was essential to grow economies.
The half-term break has also brought many families to the site, with the launch of family-friendly shows and a raft of activities and workshops for kids dotted around the site.
Visitors in front of Love Art installation at Jubilee Park on Valentine's Day, Expo 2020 Dubai. (Photo: Expo 2020 Dubai)
Expo 2020 Dubai's virtual visitation numbers reached more than 121 million, but this is set to soar even further with tonight's highly anticipated performance by global superstars Coldplay.
The British band prides itself on its commitment to the environment and, with the UAE becoming the first country in the region to announce a Net Zero by 2050 Strategic Initiative, Coldplay will show its support of Expo's Programme for People and Planet and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by performing at Al Wasl Plaza.
Almost 10,000 bookings have been allocated for the inner and outer gardens of Al Wasl Plaza, with extra outdoor screens made available across the Expo site and a further 4,000-plus booking in the DEC Arena to address the monumental interest from the general public.
As the days tick down until the Expo 2020 Dubai gates close for the last time on March 31, visitors are quickly running out of time to experience the rich and meaningful experience of the first World Expo ever held in the Middle East and Africa, including varied pavilions, breathtaking visual displays and world-class concerts, not to mention still-to-come National Day celebrations including the USA, Argentina, India, Jamaica, South Africa and Ireland; Food, Agriculture and Livelihoods Week and International Women's Day.
A Staff Reporter
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