October 25, 2021

Expo 2020 Dubai records around 1.5 million visits in first 24 days

DUBAI, Expo 2020 Dubai has recorded 1,471,314 visits since its launch 24 days ago.

Continuing to bring Expo 2020 Dubai to a global digital audience, the number of virtual visitors has risen to 10.8 million since 1st October, up from 9.3 million last week.

These numbers were boosted by Expo’s Space Week, a stellar programme of music and cultural performances, a public holiday long weekend and the half-term school break.

From Elon Musk to Jeff Bezos, space has recently emerged as the world’s next big investment frontier. Turning the spotlight on this, Dubai Chamber of Commerce, the UAE Space Agency and the Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre staged a series of debates on the challenges and opportunities offered by the commercialisation of this key sector. Space Week also proved to be a catalyst for conversations around important topics such as the impact of space debris, the industry’s recent technological advances and the growing number of women making their mark on outer space.

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.

Children made up about one quarter of visits to the Expo site over the school break, 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 pace hasn’t let up since a spectacular opening ceremony on 30th September, featuring a star-studded line-up of talent from the UAE, the Middle East and around the world, with visitors able to experience dozens of cultural programmes every day while making their way around the more than 200 pavilions across the Expo site.

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.

Iraqi megastar Kadim Al Sahir, one of the most successful Arab artists in history, kickstarted Expo 2020 Dubai’s spectacular Infinite Nights series. Also popular was a performance from Syrian composer, songwriter and producer Iyad Rimawi, who took to the Jubilee Stage as part of the Late Nights @ Expo series.

Regular events such as night-time light festival Kaleidoscope have proven hugely popular, as have the spectacular Expo 2020 Water Feature, with its 14-metre-high walls of water, and Garden in the Sky, which gives visitors stunning 360-degree views of the Expo site.

With appetites whetted by these experiences, visitors have flocked to more than 200 food and beverage outlets across the site for the chance to sample more than 50 global cuisines, ranging from street food to innovative culinary technology and sustainable dining.

Source: Emirates News Agency

October 25, 2021

Space Week programme, stellar line-up of music events nudge Expo visit numbers towards 1.5 million

DUBAI, With numbers boosted by Expo’s Space Week, a stellar programme of music and cultural performances, a public holiday long weekend and the half-term school break, Expo 2020 Dubai has welcomed 1,471,314 visits in the first 24 days of the event.

From Elon Musk to Jeff Bezos, space has recently emerged as the world’s next big investment frontier. Turning the spotlight on this, the Dubai Chamber of Commerce, the UAE Space Agency and the Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre staged a series of debates on the challenges and opportunities offered by the commercialisation of this key sector.

Space Week also proved to be a catalyst for conversations around important topics such as the impact of space debris, the industry’s recent technological advances and the growing number of women making their mark on outer space.

Children made up about one-quarter of visits to the Expo site over the school break, 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’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.

Continuing to bring Expo 2020 Dubai to a global digital audience, the number of virtual visitors has risen to 10.8 million since 1st October, up from 9.3 million last week.

Source: Emirates News Agency

October 25, 2021

Music, parades as President of Maldives celebrates his country’s National Day at Expo 2020 Dubai

DUBAI, The Republic of Maldives celebrated its National Day at Expo 2020 today with an impressive line-up of cultural and entertainment activities – including a performance on Al Wasl stage, a parade and live music at the Maldives Pavilion.

Monday’s celebrations will be followed on Tuesday with an all-day Investment Forum at Dubai Exhibition Centre, Expo 2020 Dubai, hosted by the government of the Maldives and aimed at international investors and the business community.

Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, President of the Maldives, led the country’s delegation to Expo 2020, and was welcomed by Sheikh Nahayan Mabarak Al Nahayan, Minister of Tolerance and Coexistence, and Commissioner General of Expo 2020 Dubai.

President Solih said: “I wish to congratulate the leadership of United Arab Emirates for hosting this wonderfully planned Expo – a feat made especially impressive considering that an expo of such sophistication and magnitude is being held as the world is returning to normal life after the havoc wreaked by the worst pandemic in living memory. That the UAE leadership has brought together over 190 countries for this Expo despite many hurdles, is impressive and testament to their foresight and leadership.

“The Maldives looks forward to further strengthening our partnerships with UAE and other nations in the GCC and MENA region.”

Sheikh Nahayan said: “The Republic of Maldives’ participation highlights its journey, through the ocean and its impact on Maldivian history, culture, rich ecology and marine life, and it allows us to experience what gives the Maldives its unique essence and identity in the global tourism circles.

“The pavilion story emphasises on how the ocean has shaped sustainable practices ,as well as the Maldives’ efforts in this field, which other countries can emulate.

“With Expo 2020, we hope to build on existing partnerships between our two countries in the trade, investment, tourism, hospitality, food security and agriculture fields.”

National and Honour Days at Expo 2020 Dubai are moments to celebrate each of our 200-plus International Participants, shining a light on their culture and achievements and showcasing their pavilions and programming. Each features a flag-raising ceremony at the Stage of Nations in Al Wasl Plaza, followed by speeches and cultural performances.

Running until 31 March 2022, Expo 2020 has invited visitors from across the planet to join the making of a new world in a six-month celebration of human creativity, innovation, progress and culture.

Source: Emirates News Agency

October 25, 2021

Emirates to recruit 6,000 operational staff over next six months to support accelerated recovery

DUBAI, Emirates plans to boost its operational workforce by planning to recruit more than 6,000 staff over the next six months.

As restrictions ease worldwide with the wider administration of the vaccine, additional pilots, cabin crew, engineering specialists and ground staff will be needed to support the airline’s ramp up of operations across its global network in response to the sooner-than-expected surge in customer demand.

Emirates has already restored 90 percent of its network and is on track to reaching 70 percent of its pre-pandemic capacity by the end of 2021. The world’s largest international airline is supplementing its flight schedules with increased frequencies to meet the pent up demand. It is also deploying its high-capacity double-decker A380 aircraft on popular routes around its network. By November, Emirates will offer more than 165,000 additional seats on its flagship A380 aircraft.

H.H. Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman and Chief Executive of Emirates Airline and Group, said, “Emirates has always been at the heart of Dubai’s growth. Our requirement for 6,000 additional operational staff signifies the quick recovery Dubai’s economy is witnessing and will lead to opportunities and other positive developments across various other businesses, including those in the Consumer, travel and tourism sectors.

“We have been prudently restoring our operations in line with the borders re-opening and ease of travel protocols, and with the positive signs in the economic recovery and continuous growth of demand, we are hopeful to be back to where we were pre-pandemic, from mid-2022.”

In September, Emirates embarked on a worldwide campaign to recruit 3,000 cabin crew and 500 airport services employees to join its Dubai hub to support its operational requirements arising from the travel industry recovery. As travel demand gains more traction than was earlier anticipated, Emirates will now require an additional 700 ground staff in Dubai and across its network.

Furthermore, the airline is offering exciting career opportunities for 600 qualified pilots interested in joining the global airline’s Flight Operations team based in Dubai.

As part of the recruitment drive, Emirates also aims to reinforce its Engineering team, by hiring 1,200 skilled technical staff, comprising aircraft engineers and engineering support staff, to be based in Dubai and outstations.

Emirates is the world’s largest operator of both the Boeing 777 and A380 aircraft. Its fleet currently comprises 263 widebody aircraft and the airline has a number of new aircraft on order to meet future demand, including Airbus A350s, Boeing 787-9s and Boeing 777-X aircraft types.

Source: Emirates News Agency

October 25, 2021

Dubai Digital Transformation Steering Committee explores emirate’s digital aspirations in inaugural meeting

DUBAI, The Dubai Digital Transformation Steering Committee has held its inaugural meeting to explore the emirate’s digital aspirations, chart a path for the period ahead, outline prospects for cooperation, set priorities, and rally efforts to implement Dubai’s digital transformation plans and strategies.

Committee members discussed tactics to action the clauses included in the Executive Council Resolution issued to form the new committee, which include, among other things, integrating roles between government entities which have as stake in the city’s digital transformation efforts, in addition to supporting the emirate’s vision to transition into a fully digital society.

H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of Dubai Executive Council, had launched the Committee in October of this year, marking another addition to Dubai’s quest for a digital future that embraces advanced technologies and builds on the emirate’s long track record of success to steer the digital transformation journey.

Chaired by Hamad Al Mansoori, Director-General of Digital Dubai, the meeting brought together a large roster of UAE government officials.

Al Mansoori thanked committee members and their respective entities for the high level of cooperation they demonstrated towards harmonising plans and strategies and aligning them with the general digital transformation strategy, which reflects the leadership’s vision to make Dubai a global digital capital.

“This meeting is an important milestone on the path towards fulfilling our leadership’s aspirations for a fully digital life,” Al Mansoori added. “Today, we set our sights on the future and strive to shape it to fit our vision for our society and future generations, based on a track record of achievements that all entities represented in the Digital Transformation Steering Committee – along with various government partners – helped accomplish. I am confident in the Committee’s ability to achieve its objectives within the set timeline, empowered by the leadership’s support and relying on teamwork and government talent.”

“Dubai always exceeds all expectations with unprecedented achievements,” he continued. “The future belongs to those who plan for it. The Dubai Digital Transformation Steering Committee firmly believes in the inclusive and integrated nature of the efforts needed to shape a future founded on the breakthroughs of the Fourth Industrial Revolution. The seeds we are sowing today – our strategies, policies, and plans for citywide digital transformation – will undoubtedly bear fruit in the future, and Dubai will always be a global digital icon, inspiring its residents and visitors, and providing them with an exceptional living experience marked by security, progress, and prosperity.”

Source: Emirates News Agency