EUROPE – Despite street protests and cyber attacks, Expo Milan 2015 officials report a “very satisfactory” first month with almost three million visitors to the food-themed show.
Expo officials said 15 million tickets had been sold for the event, while 2.7 million visitors had passed through the exhibition’s gates since its 1 May opening.
In a translated statement, expo chief Giuseppe Sala said the past weekend (30-31 May) was the event’s busiest to date.
“But it is not just a matter of numbers,” Sala said, describing the expo as a “safe and gentle” family event.
Credit card intelligence agency Observatory CartaSì reported a 16 per cent increase in transactions, compared to the same time last year.
As previously reported in EW, expo organisers had a challenging start to the show, which was marred by violent street protests and hacktivists targeting the show’s ticketing supplier.
Organisers expect 20 million people will visit Expo Milan 2015, from 1 May-31 October.
