Never mind the price, Expo ticket worth the experience: Residents

dubai — Dubai residents feel admission prices for the upcoming Expo 2020 are a “bit steep”, but they will still buy tickets as they do not want to miss on the experience of seeing hundreds of pavilions with futuristic exhibits, watch daily parades and live entertainment, and even try dishes from all parts of the world.

Expo organisers announced on Saturday that a day pass for one adult will cost Dh120, while a three-day pass — which can be used on any three days throughout the event’s 173-day run — is priced at Dh260.

“We feel the price is a little steep, but then it’s the Expo 2020 after all,” Indian expat Priya Bhatia told Khaleej Times. “There are four of us in the family and everyone wants to visit the Expo. We would love to see what is it all about and we actually cannot wait for it to begin.”

Dubai resident Dr Angelo Santos said: “I think the ticket rates are steeply priced. However, I also believe it will be worth it as we all know how Dubai has been planning for the event for so long now. Dubai has built pavilions that we are all excited to see and an entire new Metro line just for the Expo is almost ready. I believe that anything that is worthy does not come cheap. I’ll start saving for it and will support Dubai all the way.”

During its six-month run that will begin in October next year, Expo 2020 is expecting to draw around 25 million visitors — with more than 70 per cent of visitors projected to come from outside the UAE — to explore its theme focused on ‘Connecting Minds, Creating the Future’.

“It (Expo 2020) is an event not to be missed,” said Ion Gonzaga, another resident. “The ticket cost may sound a bit pricey for many. But if they realise the value they’ll get out of it, the price is okay. It’s

good they revealed the ticket prices this early. We have more than a year to save money for the tickets.

“The Expo is already in the process of revealing more of what to expect throughout the six-month spectacle. They need to show more so that people will see the real value of the ticket prices. I hope there will be unlimited passes as well so people can go as much as they want.”

Meanwhile, it was announced on Sunday that children aged five and

younger, as well as seniors aged 65 and older, may enter the Expo 2020 for free. Youths aged six to 17 years and students of any age will get a 50 per cent discount, while people of determination will be granted complimentary access, with their carers paying only half the ticket price.

Jordanian expat Mariam Khalifeh welcomed the announcement and also shared a positive remark. “I think the ticket prices are reasonable