With the world’s travel and tourism industry in Dubai for the Arabian Travel Market, the leading destination exhibition with participants from more than 87 countries, Dubai Expo 2020 highlights a report that concludes 277,149 jobs would be created between 2013 – 2021, 40% of which would be within the travel and tourism sector.

The report estimates that 90% of the projected 277,149 employment opportunities would occur from 2018 to 2021 with the ramp up to Expo 2020 and the demand generated by the 25 million expected visitors. Out of the 90%, 147,000 jobs would be created in the travel and tourism sector, indicating the significant potential to convert a high percentage into permanent jobs to serve the expanded economy in the post-Expo period.

Importantly, the report demonstrates the positive impact for the wider region showing that for every Expo employee approximately 60 additional jobs will be sustained across other parts of the MENA economy.

Commenting on the recent findings, Her Excellency Reem Al Hashimy, UAE Minister of State and Managing Director of the UAE’s Higher Committee for Hosting the 2020 World Expo in Dubai, said: “Dubai Expo 2020 will leave a lasting legacy not only in the UAE but also beyond its borders.  As our theme ‘Connecting Minds, Creating the Future’ suggests, Dubai Expo 2020 aims to welcome the world to collaborate and build partnerships for sustainable development. In that, Dubai Expo 2020 will spur significant employment, trade and investment opportunities for the entire MENASA region, leaving lasting economic impact.”

His Excellency Helal Saeed Al Marri, Director General of Dubai’s Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing and CEO of the Dubai World Trade Centre said: “Tourism is a vital pillar of Dubai’s economy and has contributed to the city’s economic growth, success and diversification. With the strength of Dubai’s infrastructure, geographic location and global connectivity, Dubai Expo 2020 can expect to attract 25 million visitors during the six months between October 2020 and April 2021, 71% of which would originate from outside the host nation for the first time in Expo history. This is important because the additional demand created by World Expo would provide real and exciting opportunities in employment, new attractions and incentives for the travel and tourism sector, not just for the UAE but for neighboring countries in the region and beyond.”

Dubai is competing against four other candidate cities bidding to host the Expo 2020. The winner will be announced in November 2013 following a vote by the 163 member nations of the Bureau International des Expositions, the international organisation responsible for selecting World Expo host cities.