The official number is out, and it blows past all expectations: Expo 2020 has received 1,471,314 visitors since it launched on October 1, only 24 days ago.
In addition, the number of virtual visitors has risen to 10.8 million since 1st October, up from 9.3 million last week.
These numbers were bumped up by Expo’s Space Week, a programme of music and cultural performances, a public holiday long weekend and the half-term school break, as they were only about half that just a week ago.
A total of 771,477 visited between October 1 and 17, and with the long weekend, it seemed that the million number is not far off, said the official during a briefing yesterday, as reported by the Khaleej Times.
“The themed week was also a strong draw with the public, featuring nebula music, star-gazing and a chance for visitors to hear from the UAE’s first astronauts – the first female Emirati astronaut, Nora Al Matrooshi, and the first Emirati in space, Hazza Al Mansouri. Closer to earth, The Knights, the UAE’s aerobatic display team, and their Saudi counterparts the Saudi Falcons, staged a heart-stopping show in the skies above the Expo site, while Al Wasl drew the large crowds to its spectacular space-themed projection show,” said the UAE state news agency.
Children made up about one quarter of visits to the Expo site over the school break, according to WAM, attracted by a range of activities including a coaching programme by cricketing giants Rajasthan Royals and Turn Up & Play football sessions hosted by coaches from Manchester City, as well as kid-friendly attractions at Al Forsan Park and dozens of other venues.
The recent long weekend saw large crowds attending a performance by Expo 2020 Dubai’s all-female Firdaus Orchestra, who filled the Jubilee Stage with a space-themed repertoire comprising classical music and an original composition by Oscar-winning composer A.R. Rahman.
Another long-weekend crowd pleaser was British singer-songwriter Sami Yusuf, who was joined by musicians from around the world for his ‘Beyond the Stars’ show.
