In 2013, the International Exhibitions Bureau announced Dubai as the victor of a bid to host World Expo 2020.

World Expos bring together audiences from around the world for a programme of cultural and technological changes. 

Most Expos are interwoven with universally recognised values of humanity and progress, and Dubai 2020 is no different. The emirate has chosen the theme of 'Connecting Minds, Creating the Future' to foster a discussion of issues affecting communities around the world.

Benefits of Expo 2020 for Dubai

Expo 2020 has helped to underline Dubai and the UAE’s importance, not only regionally but also on the world economic stage. Expo 2020 itself will no doubt prove a spectacular experience, though it will also act as the catalyst to drive Dubai and the broader region over next six years.

Expo 2020 has helped to underline Dubai and the UAE’s importance, not only regionally but also on the world economic stage. 

In our client briefing we assess the benefits to the region as Dubai prepares for the event of a lifetime: 

• 227,000 - estimated number of jobs that Expo 2020 will create in Dubai 
• 17-25 million - estimated number of visitors to Dubai that Expo 2020 will bring 
• $23bn - estimated projected value of Expo 2020 to Dubai 

We also review previous Expos and their impacts on the cities in which they were held: 

• Milan 2015 - set to deliver 200,000 jobs to the region, with construction, events management and transportation sectors generating the lion's share
• Shanghai 2010 - this Expo generated an operating profit of around $1bn and transformed a dilapidated former industrial zone into valuable residential and commercial developments
• Hannover 2000 - the city gained a number of infrastructure improvements, including an extension to the tram network, new road systems, a railway station and the addition of a third airport terminal