More than half (55 per cent) of UAE residents said that Dubai Expo 2020 will boost the UAE and Dubai’s economy, according to data collected online by YouGov Omnibus, a unit of global market research provider YouGov.

Almost as many feel it will attract prospective investments (51 per cent) and will increase the influx of tourists in the country (50 per cent).

Many even think the Dubai Expo will enhance the UAE’s reputation as a business hub (49 per cent) and will lead to the creation of more jobs (48 per cent). For all these areas, women seem more optimistic than men.

Similarly, compared to other age groups, people who are 40+ seem to be confident about the expo and are most likely to say it will deliver all the above mentioned positive outcomes.

Amongst the nationality groups, Arab expats (47 per cent) are most hopeful that the Dubai Expo will energise the hospitality, real estate and recreation sector.

While the lead up to expo is filled is anticipation and optimism, the survey revealed that there is low awareness around expo’s legacy. When asked about District 2020, only 28 per cent knew what it was. 36 per cent did not know about it and another 36 per cent had only heard of it but were not completely sure what it was.

Amongst those aware of District 2020, seven in 10 (69 per cent) identified it as part of expo’s legacy which will support the development of Dubai, 62 per cent identified District 2020 as the future name of the expo site, two-thirds feel it will be a commercial district (66 per cent) and 62 per cent believe it will be a residential district.

As Dubai is set to welcome visitors from across the globe at the Dubai Expo 2020 later this year, YouGov’s new survey reveals that excitement levels within the country are high with a large majority of UAE residents (67 per cent) looking forward to attend the exposition.

Among those who are likely to visit the expo, people aged 30+ are more likely to be present than younger adults in the country. Similarly, working professionals are more likely than non-working residents (72 per cent vs 51 per cent) to visit the expo. Even married residents, especially ones with children, are more likely than the single people to attend the event.

Among those who are visiting the event, more than half (52 per cent) are planning to attend the expo at its launch while one in seven (15 per cent) are likely to be present for the closing ceremony. Two in five (40 per cent) will attend specific events. One in ten (10 per cent) will join the celebration only after going through attendee reviews and a similar proportion are unsure of their attendance at this moment.

In the past, World Expos have given us some iconic structures and inventions such as the Eiffel Tower, the Seattle Space Needle, the television and even Heinz Tomato Ketchup. Therefore, it is not surprising to see that most UAE residents (52 per cent) are eager to experience innovation at the expo.

Following that, many are excited to witness the spectacle of culture and education (38 per cent each) at the pavilions. A higher number of men than women are interested in exploring innovation at the expo (55 per cent vs 45 per cent) while more women than men are interested in the cultural aspect of the expo (46 per cent vs 34 per cent).

A considerable number of men are looking forward to the sporting events at the expo (35 per cent) while a large number of women are keen to experience architecture (41 per cent) and music (33 per cent) at the event.

Most people are likely to visit the expo on short frequency tickets. Three in ten (29 per cent) prefer the one-day ticket, just over a quarter (26 per cent) are planning to buy the three-day multiple entry ticket and one in five (21 per cent) prefer the monthly pass.  Only one in ten (9 per cent) expressed an interest to buy the entire 6-month pass. – TradeArabia News Service