In October next year, the UAE will welcome 192 participating countries and about 25 million visits, with around 70 per cent of visitors coming from outside the UAE. Held under the theme ‘Connecting Minds, Creating the Future’, Expo 2020 will be the first World Expo hosted in the Middle East, Africa and South Asia (MEASA) region.

Expo 2020, taking place from October 20, 2020 to April 10, 2021, is also introducing a number of firsts in World Expo history. For instance, it will be the first time every participating country has its own pavilion to showcase its people, culture, innovations, achievements and aspirations.

Visitors can expect 60 live performances a day, future-shaping technologies, concerts from A-list artists, daily parades, cutting-edge architecture, world-famous chefs, special celebrations including Christmas and Diwali, and more than 200 F&B outlets.

The 192 Country Pavilions are located not according to geography, as in previous World Expos, but instead by their chosen Expo 2020 subtheme of Opportunity, Mobility or Sustainability.

Sumathi Ramanathan, director – Destination Marketing, Expo 2020 Dubai, said: “Visitors will be able to travel the world in one place, no passport needed. A day’s journey could include a taste of the French Riviera in the Monaco Pavilion, an eye-opening look at Maori culture at the New Zealand Pavilion, a relaxing town square coffee in the Spain Pavilion and a frankincense-inspired trip to the Oman Pavilion.”

In an exclusive interview with TTN, she explains how travel agents, tour operators and destination management companies should partner with Expo 2020 Dubai as Authorised Ticket Resellers. “Ultimately, this is the only way that any travel agency, tour operator or destination management company can officially affiliate themselves to this incredible event and be able to craft bespoke Expo 2020 Dubai packages to their clients.”

There is a competitive commission structure in place designed to generate additional revenue for authorised ticket resellers. Expo 2020 provides support in terms of comprehensive end-to-end support network to all authorised ticket resellers; access to creative, educational assets and product information to package campaigns. Additionally, the promotion of these resellers on the Expo 2020 website provides an exclusive incentive.

Awe-inspiring global artists and jaw-dropping performers will create wow moments, complemented by storytellers and innovators behind some of the top productions in the world will bring the magic to life through parades, exhibits and festivals.

On top of this, the world’s-most celebrated chefs will craft dishes from all corners of the world using ingredients that will delight and surprise. A paradise for innovators, Expo 2020 will unveil the inventions, ideas and inspirations that are set to change the future.

There are several selling points and the tour packages may be built around the 192 incredible country pavilions designed by the best architects in the world, state-of-the-art and cutting edge futuristic innovations from the world’s leading innovators, over 60 dazzling live shows daily and over 200 food and beverage dining options showcasing more than 34 Michelin star chefs.