Shulto Douglas, the CEO of Sales and Marketing at Expo City Dubai, emphasized that the transformation witnessed in Dubai Expo City serves as a vivid example of converting the legacy of a global event into a sustainable, vibrant city that merges living, working, culture, and entertainment. Speaking at Dubai’s pavilion during the World Travel Market in London, Douglas noted that the upcoming real estate and logistical expansions linked to the airport and exhibition center will position the city as a new global hub for business, tourism, and international exhibitions over the next few years, reinforcing Dubai’s status as one of the most innovative and diverse cities worldwide.
Douglas joined the Expo 2020 Dubai team just six months prior to the global event, with the aim of achieving over 20 million ticket sales. He highlighted that the close collaboration between the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism and Emirates Airlines was crucial for the project’s success, making it a significant national achievement on an international scale.
After the conclusion of Expo, the decision was made to transform the site into a long-term sustainable project initially known as District 2020, later renamed Expo City Dubai, reflecting the immense value of the Expo brand. He explained that the goal was not just to reuse the structures but to create an integrated city for living, working, and leisure, embodying Dubai’s ambitions for sustainability and innovation.
Expo City Dubai features several prominent attractions preserved post-event, including the Vision Pavilion, which honors the journey of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister, and Ruler of Dubai, as well as the Terra and Alif pavilions, which continue to draw visitors as educational and experiential centers.
The current project is based on three main pillars: firstly, the development of residential and commercial properties, converting pavilions into modern offices and workspaces; secondly, retaining the leisure destinations and landmarks that define the essence of Expo.
It is anticipated that as the master plan for the city progresses, around 40,000 employees will be working in companies based there, while residential projects are expected to house approximately 35,000 residents. The first housing units are slated for delivery by mid-next year, with the initial phase including developments such as “Mangrove Residences,” “Sidra Residences,” and “Sky Residences,” alongside the “Expo Valley” and “Oasis” projects that feature luxury apartments and villas.
Expo City Dubai is actively marketing real estate opportunities to companies and investors, having sold several plots to developers like Aldar Properties for new residential and hotel projects. Additionally, plans are underway to launch several new hotels as part of the master plan, in alignment with the expansion of the Dubai Exhibition Center, now managed by the Dubai World Trade Centre.
The area’s exhibition space is set to triple from 45,000 square meters to 150,000 square meters by 2027, making it the largest conference and exhibition center in the region. The spokesperson affirmed that this expansion will generate significant demand for hotel accommodations, particularly during major events like GITEX, Gulfood, and Arab Health, noting that current hotels such as Rove and Cheval are experiencing very high occupancy rates, with increased demand for short-term rentals to meet the needs of visitors and participants.
Additionally, Expo City Dubai aims to become a fully integrated destination for living, working, and entertainment, regularly organizing sports and cultural events, with future plans including the establishment of a major sports venue to enhance the city’s role as a center for global sporting events.