Organizers said the number of visitors totaled 59,000 for Saturday and Sunday, just 10 percent of the number forecast for its first weekend while the Expo officials were ready to accommodate 150,000 visitors per day on holidays and weekends and 50,000-100,000 on weekdays.
Officials speculated that three dress rehearsals held before Saturday that involved 110,000 people may have affected initial visitor numbers.
The officials said they expect 10.8 million visitors for the entire 93 days of the exposition.
The international fair held under the theme of “Living Ocean and Coast” and recognized by the Paris-based Bureau of International Exhibitions is focused on highlighting the important role the ocean and coast play in everyday lives and the need to live in harmony with the world‘s marine environment.
Despite the low turnout, Yeosu officials remained upbeat, and said crowd turnout at many past expositions started slowly before picking up pace.
“The ’Big O‘ show centered on a floating entertainment structure and fountain has received praise, while South Korea’s largest aquarium with its 33,000 marine animals from 280 species on display is a hit,” an official said. He said since the exposition runs through Aug. 12 there is plenty of time for people from all over the world to visit.
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reporter
Park Sae-jin
swatchsjp@ajunews.com
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