EXPO in UAE Dubai

World expos, also known as world fairs are universal exhibitions have been around for more than 150 years. The expos are held in different parts of the world after every five years. They last for different durations, with some lasting for up to six months. The participating countries design and develop the theme of the theme of the expo. The participants develop their pavilion based on this theme. The expos are an important event for the host countries, and they are opened by the heads of states of the host countries. The exhibitions include different participants such as countries, organizations, corporation, citizens, and other institutions and companies. The expos provide an opportunity for all countries in the world to interact and learn different things. The participating groups get a chance to display their cultures, technologies, and arts. The expos influence international trade, architecture, science and technology, and the arts. The Bureau of International Exhibitions (BIE) is the governing body that manages and regulates the world expos. Many countries realize the benefits of hosting the expo, because it provides the largest international gathering, with more than 150 countries in attendance.

BIE promotes the expo as a forum for education rather than commerce, but this does not mean that the participants do not get to benefit economically. There are many benefits of hosting the world expo. The previous world expo was held in Shanghai, China, and it attracted more than seventy million visitors, making it the largest expo since the world fairs began. By hosting the expo, the host country gets to advertise and market itself to other countries and regions of the world. The country lets the world know what it stands for and what it is capable of doing. There are many contenders for the host position, and the interested candidates have to show why they are suitable for having that position. They have to engage other member countries to vote for them (Philipson 4). The UAE is one of the interested candidates to host the world expo in 2020, in the city of Dubai. Although there are many contenders for the position, the UAE is the best option, seeing that it has several things to offer the participants.

The UAE has emerged as one of the most powerful economies in the world. It has maintained peaceful and cordial international relationships with other countries around the world. It has grown at a steady rate, incorporating technological development. Dubai is one of the most developed, modern, and cosmopolitan cities in the world. It has managed to become one of the top-most tourist destination centers around the world. The tourists experience the high quality services that Dubai has to offer, beginning from the airport. It has the best and most recognizable airline industry in the world. With its numerous high quality hotels and resorts, it provides accommodation for every person, regardless of his or her economic status. It has luxurious hotels with incomparable services and products, to cater for the high-end clientele, as well as high quality affordable accommodation. It has stunning beaches and a marina with leisure crafts, boats, and yachts. Dubai has many different attractions, catering for the needs of every person. One will find an attraction and event to suit his or her taste, whether it is the renowned horse race, mountain and desert tours, shopping in the big shopping malls with the widest variety of products and services, or the many sporting activities such as golf, rally drives, and numerous equestrian sports.

Dubai is a top business destination, attracting many international investors. There is a strong cooperation between the public and private sectors, which has ensured continual development and progress. The government provides an enabling environment for private business and development, encouraging innovation from different sectors. It has a strong and highly developed infrastructure. It has developed and invested a lot of money in its air and sea transport, ensuring ease of access. It is a gateway to international markets in Africa Asia and Europe. Dubai is capable of handling the high traffic that will result from the expo. Already more than sixty million people pass thought the airports in Dubai every year, and this is not the maximum limit. The seaport handles more than sixty terminals from all the continents. It has an excellent telecommunications sector, reliable and efficient courier services, and many conference rooms and meeting venues with the latest facilities and equipment. The country is already cosmopolitan, as it has embraced people from more than two hundred nationalities, who work or live there (Gulf News 6-13)

The attitude that the people have towards the expo determines the success of the expo (Philipson 10). The people of Dubai are ready to host the expo, and they have expressed this clearly, by how they are showing their support. The expo often needs sponsors, and many businesses and firms in Dubai have expressed their vocal support on the venture. This support has also come from the top most authority in the UAE. The government has expressed its readiness to support the expo. The media has been instrumental in informing people on the developments of the expo, with most reporters highlighting the benefits of Dubai as the host country. The international media have often sited the benefits of working in Dubai, and they have observed its strategic location. They have supported Dubai as an international destination, which is suitable for both business and pleasure. The citizens welcome the visitors, and they attend the events. The attitude of people in different sectors in the country is positive, and this shows that the people are ready to host the world expo (WAM).

The economical aspects of a country are a contributing factor to the hosting of the expo. The economical aspect determines the level of infrastructure in a country. The expo hosts many visitors, all of whom will need a place to stay. The host country should be able to provide the necessary accommodation for all the participants and visitors. Dubai is able to do this because it has different choices of hotel accommodation, in and around the city. The participants will find all the necessary amenities. Dubai has invested many resources on healthcare, and the participants will not need to worry about their health or well-being. The expo will increase the traffic on different transportation networks. It is necessary for the host country to provide functioning transport. This will range from the airports, where most of the visitors will arrive, to any other available mode of transport such as road, rail, and sea. Dubai offers airport transfer, shuttle bus services, metered and negotiable taxis, and international car hire services. In the previous expo held in Shanghai, the government spent more than $44billion, in developing and rehabilitating its transport system. As noted, some expos may last as long as six months, and the participants will not be working all the time. They need to relax, and this can provide a good opportunity to the host country to display the various tourist attractions.

Shanghai got a chance to present its culture to the participating nations. It performed different forms of art including contemporary and traditional music and martial arts. The event was one of the longest expos for it lasted for six months. During this time, the people were exposed to different cultural, artistic, and technological presentation of the Chinese people. It not only attracted foreign tourists, but it also encouraged domestic tourists as people from different parts of China got a chance to visit the expo. The expo exposed what Shanghai had to offer the world. The amount of money that the government put in developing the infrastructure was beneficial since this infrastructure would benefit the people later. In addition, it raised the revenue of the retail stores in the surrounding regions, who had to cater for the high number of visitors in the expo. The expo provided a lot of employment for the local people. Many people were involved in preparing the site for the expo before it began. Some were hired as cleaners, where they were involved in ensuring that the expo site was clean and well maintained. The expo helped to locate and identify Shanghai as a potential business investment for those considering doing business in China. There were many journalists and other media personnel in the region, who were there to record the events. They came from different countries of the world, as almost two hundred countries participated in the event. They not only covered the events at the pavilions, but they also exposed Shanghai to the rest of the world. The expo helped to expose China’s amenities, including five star hotels, which is a possible attraction for many tourists and foreigners. These were tremendous benefits to China and Shanghai. The expo helped people from other parts of China, and from different parts of the world to learn more about Shanghai (Leung, Yanping and Wong).

There are many benefits of choosing Dubai as the next destination for the world expo in 2020. The country’s infrastructure is world class and second to none. All the different modes of transport systems are world class and they are equipped to handle high traffic. The city has great accommodation facilities, ranging from luxurious to affordable. The city embraces people from different cultures, religions, and ethnicities. Above all, the people are ready and willing to host the expo. They are ready to attend the expo and ensure that it is a success, not only for the city and for the country, but also for the participating countries, who will get a chance to display their culture, art, architecture, and technological innovations

Works Cited:

Emirates 247. DIFC Chief Economist Meets President of Shanghai World Expo. 20 Mar. 2012. Web. October 30, 2012

Forbes Custom. Dubai: World-Class Infrastructure and a Global Hub for Trade, Transport and Tourism. 2010. Web. October 30, 2012

Gulf News. UAE Well Positioned to Host World Expo 2020. Gulf News. 24 June 2012. Web. October 30, 2012

Leung, Sophie, Li Yanping, and Stephanie Wong. Shanghai Marks End of Record World Expo with Songs and Dance. Bloomberg. 31 Oct. 2010. Web. October 30, 2012.

Philipson, Ole. The Wonderful World of Expos – Speech by Amb. Ole Philipson. Bureau International des Expositions. 22 Nov. 2010. Web. October 30, 2012