Dubai firms up World Expo hopes
Four cities remain in contention to host World Expo 2020 after the bid by Thailand’s Ayutthaya was ruled out.
In Paris this week, World Expo 2020 organisers heard bid presentations from UAE’s Dubai, Turkey’s Izmir, Brazil’s Sao Paulo and Russia’s Yekaterinburg.
The UAE has announced a €150 million aid package to support the developing countries’ participation at the Expo 2020, in addition to the €100 million Partnership Fund to support innovative ideas for creating opportunities, mobility and sustainability as part of Dubai’s bid.
In 2010, Shanghai World Expo attracted 73 million visitors.
According to the China’s National Tourism Administration, the direct tourism income from the Shanghai World Expo reached more than US$12 billion.
The Bureau of International Expositions (BIE) on Tuesday disqualified Thailand amid concerns that the bid did not have sufficient support from the Thai government.
Izmir has also experienced a difficult run-up to its presentation as it has been affected by the wave of unrest in Turkey.
The host city decision will be made at the next BIE general assembly in Paris in November.
Ian Jarrett
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