In line with its vision to promote Dubai as a leading tourist destination and global commercial hub, the Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM) was recently named a lead sponsor for the UAE’s bid to host the 2020 World Expo in Dubai.

DTCM and the Expo team will work together to raise awareness about the country’s bid campaign through a series of ongoing outreach initiatives, which include hosting conventions, branding, and distributing informational brochures across the city.

Since 1851, World Expos have been a platform to communicate the world’s most brilliant ideas, bringing the global community together to learn, share and grow, while introducing significant new technologies and innovations. Held every five years, these events serve as catalysts for economic, cultural and social transformation across the globe.

Commenting on the potential impact of the event, His Excellency Khalid A. Bin Sulayem, Director General of DTCM, said: “Expo 2020 would be a significant addition to the city’s growing list of milestones. With our bid focused on sustainability, transport & logistics and new models of economic growth, Expo 2020 would not only be a major step for the Middle East, but for the whole world.”

Under the bid theme “Connecting Minds, Creating the Future,” the 2020 World Expo in Dubai would be the first ever held in the Middle East, Africa or South Asia.

His Excellency added: “Expo 2020 would attract over 20 million new visitors to the country and feature Dubai on the global stage as a leader in sustainable development while highlighting the importance of working together and creating connections for a better world.”

Dubai, UAE, is competing against four other candidate cities bidding to host the 2020 World Expo, including Ayutthaya (Thailand); Ekaterinburg (Russia); Izmir (Turkey); and Sao Paulo (Brazil).

The winning city will be announced in November 2013 following a vote by the 161 member nations of the Bureau International des Expositions – the international organisation responsible for overseeing the bidding, selection and organisation of World Expos.

The DTCM was established in January 1997 with an aim to increase understanding and awareness about Dubai to the world in order to attract tourists and investment. It is the principal authority for the planning, supervision and development of the tourism sector in Dubai.

Since inception, DTCM has played a pivotal role in promoting Dubai and growing the economic contribution of tourism to the emirate. The significance of inbound tourism to the emirate of Dubai has been seen and felt not just in the region, but also globally. The World Tourism Organization puts the inflow of visitors to Dubai ahead of Hong Kong, France, Turkey, Belgium, China and Germany.