Dubai International Boat Show 2008 ends with high visitor turnout and record sales

Hundreds of boats have been sold during the show in the first four days, and the high turnout of visitors so far means that the show is set to surpass the 2007 record of over 25,000 visitors.

Boat-builders both local and international are all negotiating deals and reporting one of the busiest shows of the season. Companies supplying and servicing the industry, particularly from the UAE, Kuwait and Qatar, are also witnessing a high level of sales and interest in their products.

For UAE-based luxury yacht builder Palm Marine, the show has already seen the sale of seven boats with a combined value of over $10m, and a large amount of promising leads. Demand has been particularly high for its Palm Islander 420 and 600, part of its hugely-successful range of Flybridge yachts.

"It's been a remarkable event for Palm Marine, with very high interest in the full range of our products. The UAE's leisure marine industry is entering a very dynamic stage, driven by the opening of new waterfronts and marinas, and this year's Boat Show has provided us with an excellent opportunity to meet a full range of potential customers,' said Harald Schlegel, Business Development Manager, Palm Marine.

Companies from Kuwait and Qatar have also enjoyed strong sales. Kuwait-based Alghanim Marine is reporting high sales of its Cigarette boats - a high performance powerboat favoured by those looking for speed on the water.

"This is our fourth year at Dubai International Boat Show and this year is by far the busiest and the most international. We've brought the Cigarette 39' Top Fish this year and the response has really been positive across all areas," said Thunayan Alghanim, President, Alghanim Marine.

Qatar's Al Fardan Marine has enjoyed significant sales of motor yachts at this year's event.

"One of the delights of this year's show has been that we've been able to meet with customers from a very wide area - Europe, the Middle East and even China," said Fadi Al Yousfi, General Manager, Al Fardan Marine.

First Marine, which started the event with a range of boats in the 20 foot range on its stand, sold four with a combined value of $357,000 within the first two days of the show.

Helal Saeed Al Marri, Director General of Dubai World Trade Centre, organiser of DIBS 2008, said: "The core purpose of the boat show is to do business, make sales, and bring buyers and suppliers together. The strong sales exhibitors are enjoying at this year's event demonstrates how effective the show is for companies looking to drive sales in one of the world's most dynamic leisure marine markets."