Emirates banks on Expo Dubai 2020 to boost traffic, increase returns

NAIROBI, Kenya, Nov 10 – Flying in comfort, while enjoying luxury and top-notch service is something any travel-holic would not want to miss.

Emirates Airline has over the years continued to create interesting and gripping reasons why people should choose their flights and always come back for more.

This year, the airline decided to partner and be a major contributor to the six-month-long Dubai Expo 2020 as it seeks to leverage it to increase traffic and boost high returns.

The one-stop event showcases 192 pavilions myriad exhibitions, hundreds of restaurants, and non-stop activities.

With the buzz around the ongoing Expo, Christophe Leloup, Emirates Kenya Country Manager spoke to Capital Business on among others,  several initiatives unveiled to create awareness of the event.

Leloup said the airline currently facilitates direct flights to 71 countries, out of the 191 countries that have confirmed their participation in the Expo.

“This brought about large volumes of traffic that the airline took advantage of,” he said.

“We launched a campaign featuring mega-celebrity Chris Hemsworth which has already generated excitement and additional awareness for the Expo. Additionally, we have been rolling out multiple products and offers to encourage visits to Dubai and the event, like our complimentary pass offer and earning a ‘Mile-A-Minute’ through our Skywards loyalty Programme,” Leloup added.

The airline also offered Kenyans subsidized fares that allowed families booking tickets to Dubai to pay 25 percent of the adult fare for kids aged 2 to 11 years old as well as a 20 percent Early Bird offer.

Additionally, Kenyans would be able to earn 1 Skywards Mile for every 1 minute spent in Dubai until 31 March 2022.

“Currently forward bookings are looking very encouraging and many countries are easing their travel restrictions. With travelers now more confident to fly internationally, and Dubai’s quick and consistent pandemic response, we are confident that more visitors will make their way to visit our home and hub for tourism and business,” he said.

The airline further took the expo as an opportunity to bolster trade and tourism with other countries and signed various partnerships.

“We have signed several agreements so far, which includes an MoU (Memorandum of Understanding)between Emirates and the Ministry of Tourism Maldives and with the Seychelles Tourism Board, renewing our joint commitment to jump-starting initiatives and concerted efforts to boost the tourism sectors.,” he added.

On whether the expo would be the end of all the offers rolled out, Leloup commented that this was the beginning of more of what they have to offer to customers and the pavilion they established at the Expo would be reused by the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

“The Expo 2020 Dubai site will live long after it closes its doors and is in fact planning to reuse at least 80 percent of the existing infrastructure. The airline is working closely with the Expo 2020 Dubai team on a legacy project for the pavilion,” he said.