When Expo 2020 opens in October, it is going to be a beginning that for many will feel like the end of a long and difficult road. Because of the Covid-19 pandemic, the international gathering is taking place 12 months later than originally scheduled. Inevitably, there will be a widespread feeling of relief that we finally made it.
But soon after that, those of us who are part of the Expo 2020 economy will buckle down and get back to work. It is a welcome opportunity for us in the hospitality industry and elsewhere to bustle with activity again, after the trying times of Covid-19.
The hospitality sector is just one part of the Expo 2020 economy, helping a wide range of workers, from foreign delegates to construction crews, IT specialists to entertainers. But the lift that Expo 2020 is giving us, I believe, is indicative of the event’s wider benefits for the economy of the UAE.
According to the latest forecast from hospitality industry data provider STR, Dubai hotel occupancy is set to rise by an astonishing 77 per cent year-on-year, with revenue per available room rising by an even stronger 86 per cent. These are heartening numbers after so many hard months.
This is not just confined to hotels near the Expo 2020 site. Even those further afield, such as those on Yas Island Abu Dhabi, are expected to do good business.
This new optimism is reflected in a measurement called the Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI), which surveys executives to see if their businesses are contracting or expanding. A PMI score less than 50 means that the signs indicate an upcoming to contraction, while a score more than 50 means expansion is expected. As early as the first quarter of this year, the average UAE PMI was up 7.5 per cent year-on-year, and was settling comfortably into the expansion zone with a score of more than 50 in March. That surge has sped up as Expo 2020 draws nearer. The score for July was 54, the best since January 2019. The Central Bank of the UAE has cited Expo 2020 as one of the reasons for the rally, and expects the effect to endure into the first quarter of 2022, given the fact that the event will continue until the end of March 2022.
Economic statistics can seem dry, but at the same time they tell us about what is happening in people’s lives as workers. An economy is the sum of many moving parts. But each of those parts, after a hard day’s work, needs a place to rest for the night and muster energy for the day ahead. This is the essence of how hotels serve the economy. If we do our job properly, people feel cared for and refreshed and are better able to keep pushing the economy forward, day after day. We are part of a collective effort to advance the nation.
Hotels are holding “Expo ready” education sessions for their teams. We will have special menus for the event, shuttle buses, Expo 2020 passports for kids and even specialised catering such as kosher food for Israeli tour groups.
As The National observed in an editorial almost exactly a year ago today: “In 2021, the UAE can showcase itself as a bulwark of stability in a fluctuating world, while providing people from all countries safe and secure environs to meet, exchange ideas and strike partnerships with the sole purpose of building a better world.”
The hospitality industry is united in working towards the success of Expo 2020, not only to benefit the nation but to inspire the world. We can show a path forward to better days, much as the Tokyo Olympics did recently. The Games had their difficult moments and there was much trepidation ahead of time, but in the end they brought happiness to people worldwide. As the German Paralympic long jumper Vanessa Low observed: “You can make all these plans and you can have a game plan for the next couple of years, but things change. And sometimes those changes aren't bad. Sometimes those changes are your biggest opportunities.”
Expo 2020 is our opportunity to dazzle the world with amazing moments and inspiring efforts. This is our Olympics.
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
The burning issue
The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE.
Read part four: an affection for classic cars lives on
Read part three: the age of the electric vehicle begins
Read part one: how cars came to the UAE
The years Ramadan fell in May
BMW M5 specs
Engine: 4.4-litre twin-turbo V-8 petrol enging with additional electric motor
Power: 727hp
Torque: 1,000Nm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 10.6L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh650,000
Usain Bolt's World Championships record
2007 Osaka
200m Silver
4x100m relay Silver
2009 Berlin
100m Gold
200m Gold
4x100m relay Gold
2011 Daegu
100m Disqualified in final for false start
200m Gold
4x100m relay Gold
2013 Moscow
100m Gold
200m Gold
4x100m relay Gold
2015 Beijing
100m Gold
200m Gold
4x100m relay Gold
Look%20Both%20Ways
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Company%20profile
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Results
ATP Dubai Championships on Monday (x indicates seed):
First round
Roger Federer (SUI x2) bt Philipp Kohlschreiber (GER) 6-4, 3-6, 6-1
Fernando Verdasco (ESP) bt Thomas Fabbiano (ITA) 3-6, 6-3, 6-2
Marton Fucsovics (HUN) bt Damir Dzumhur (BIH) 6-1, 7-6 (7/5)
Nikoloz Basilashvili (GEO) bt Karen Khachanov (RUS x4) 6-4, 6-1
Jan-Lennard Struff (GER) bt Milos Raonic (CAN x7) 6-4, 5-7, 6-4
Tour de France
When: July 7-29
UAE Team Emirates:
Dan Martin, Alexander Kristoff, Darwin Atapuma, Marco Marcato, Kristijan Durasek, Oliviero Troia, Roberto Ferrari and Rory Sutherland
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The specs
Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
Power: 640hp
Torque: 760nm
On sale: 2026
Price: Not announced yet
Syria squad
Goalkeepers: Ibrahim Alma, Mahmoud Al Youssef, Ahmad Madania.
Defenders: Ahmad Al Salih, Moayad Ajan, Jehad Al Baour, Omar Midani, Amro Jenyat, Hussein Jwayed, Nadim Sabagh, Abdul Malek Anezan.
Midfielders: Mahmoud Al Mawas, Mohammed Osman, Osama Omari, Tamer Haj Mohamad, Ahmad Ashkar, Youssef Kalfa, Zaher Midani, Khaled Al Mobayed, Fahd Youssef.
Forwards: Omar Khribin, Omar Al Somah, Mardik Mardikian.
It Was Just an Accident
Director: Jafar Panahi
Stars: Vahid Mobasseri, Mariam Afshari, Ebrahim Azizi, Hadis Pakbaten, Majid Panahi, Mohamad Ali Elyasmehr
Rating: 4/5
Our legal consultants
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
SUCCESSION%20SEASON%204%20EPISODE%201
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECreated%20by%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EJesse%20Armstrong%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStars%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Brian%20Cox%2C%20Jeremy%20Strong%2C%20Kieran%20Culkin%2C%20Sarah%20Snook%2C%20Nicholas%20Braun%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%204%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Specs
Engine: Duel electric motors
Power: 659hp
Torque: 1075Nm
On sale: Available for pre-order now
Price: On request
LIVING IN...
This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.
Company%20profile
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Dates for the diary
To mark Bodytree’s 10th anniversary, the coming season will be filled with celebratory activities:
- September 21 Anyone interested in becoming a certified yoga instructor can sign up for a 250-hour course in Yoga Teacher Training with Jacquelene Sadek. It begins on September 21 and will take place over the course of six weekends.
- October 18 to 21 International yoga instructor, Yogi Nora, will be visiting Bodytree and offering classes.
- October 26 to November 4 International pilates instructor Courtney Miller will be on hand at the studio, offering classes.
- November 9 Bodytree is hosting a party to celebrate turning 10, and everyone is invited. Expect a day full of free classes on the grounds of the studio.
- December 11 Yogeswari, an advanced certified Jivamukti teacher, will be visiting the studio.
- February 2, 2018 Bodytree will host its 4th annual yoga market.
What is Reform?
Reform is a right-wing, populist party led by Nigel Farage, a former MEP who won a seat in the House of Commons last year at his eighth attempt and a prominent figure in the campaign for the UK to leave the European Union.
It was founded in 2018 and originally called the Brexit Party.
Many of its members previously belonged to UKIP or the mainstream Conservatives.
After Brexit took place, the party focused on the reformation of British democracy.
Former Tory deputy chairman Lee Anderson became its first MP after defecting in March 2024.
The party gained support from Elon Musk, and had hoped the tech billionaire would make a £100m donation. However, Mr Musk changed his mind and called for Mr Farage to step down as leader in a row involving the US tycoon's support for far-right figurehead Tommy Robinson who is in prison for contempt of court.
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THE%C2%A0SPECS
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COMPANY%20PROFILE
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More from Rashmee Roshan Lall
Dust and sand storms compared
Sand storm
- Particle size: Larger, heavier sand grains
- Visibility: Often dramatic with thick "walls" of sand
- Duration: Short-lived, typically localised
- Travel distance: Limited
- Source: Open desert areas with strong winds
Dust storm
- Particle size: Much finer, lightweight particles
- Visibility: Hazy skies but less intense
- Duration: Can linger for days
- Travel distance: Long-range, up to thousands of kilometres
- Source: Can be carried from distant regions
Gothia Cup 2025
4,872 matches
1,942 teams
116 pitches
76 nations
26 UAE teams
15 Lebanese teams
2 Kuwaiti teams
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Our family matters legal consultant
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
The White Lotus: Season three
Creator: Mike White
Starring: Walton Goggins, Jason Isaacs, Natasha Rothwell
Rating: 4.5/5
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
