Strategies for managing complex visitor flow issues at Shanghai World Expo 2010

Shanghai World Expo 2010 starts on May 1 st 2010, lasting for 184 days, with estimates of visitors being 70 million. Average daily expectancy of visitors is approximately 400,000, and on the peak days it is expected to reach up to 800,000. The purpose of this paper is to explore the inherent principles of the varying visitor flow at big events such as Expo, and to propose the strategies which can help in dealing with these complex issues. The authors of this paper analyzed the most recent Expo events that took place in Lisbon, Hanover, Aichi and Saragossa in order to compare forecasted with actual visitor numbers, and to note what the daily visitor flow distribution was like, as well as the impact and influence of the ticket pricing strategy on the visitor attendance and flow. Finally, some innovative management strategies as a solution for the visitor flow issues are suggested for the coming Expo Shanghai 2010.