World fair official says agreements anticipate lifting of coronavirus travel bans Expo 2020 Dubai was hailed a “beacon of hope” for international travel as plans to welcome the world to the UAE this year take shape. The first Expo hosted in the Middle East is set to be the largest global gathering held during the coronavirus pandemic period after Tokyo Olympics organisers said overseas visitors would be barred. Expo 2020 chiefs authorised more than 2,500 travel groups, airlines and cruise companies to sell tickets and include the world fair in their itinerary as they stay focused on their goal of 25 million visits during the six-month event. The number of travel businesses involved is expected to grow to more than 3,500 by the end of the summer.
A cautious approach is being taken, however, in traditionally strong markets such as India because of coronavirus travel restrictions in case the bans remain in force when the event in Dubai opens in October. A mobile app to help visitors plan their journey across the Dubai Expo site will be released this summer. “We have observed the travel industry is actually seeing Expo as a beacon of hope for international travel because this is going to be the first global gathering in the pandemic era,” Sumathi Ramanathan, vice president of market strategy and sales for Expo 2020 Dubai, told The National. “The Tokyo Olympics is going ahead without [overseas] spectators, and therefore the first global gathering that will happen in the world where you will actually have visitors will be Expo 2020.” The Expo has signed thousands of agreements so airlines, cruise companies, tour operators and agents, including Saudi Arabia’s Al Tayyar and Al Fursan travel groups, can officially resell tickets. There is strong interest from leisure and business visitors, with international airlines also taking note. Details of partnerships will be made public later.
Ticket prices will be revealed in mid-July and made available on the Expo website.
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