ISLAMABAD: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, Khaleej Times reported.
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 Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of The Dubai Executive Council.
International Day for Girls and Women in Science on 11 February 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).
The expert panel discussion included addresses by Sarah Al Amiri, UAE Minister of State for Advanced Technology, Chair of the UAE Space Agency and the Emirates Scientists Council, and the Deputy Project Manager of the Emirates Mars Mission and Sheikha Lubna bint Khalid bin Sultan Al Qasimi, former UAE Minister of State for Tolerance, former Minister of State for International Cooperation and former Minister of Economy and Planning. L’Oréal and UNESCO honoured 14 women from the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region for their remarkable discoveries in STEM.
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.
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.
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 bookings in the DEC Arena to address the monumental interest from the general public.