Full ahead for Dubai International Boat Show 2004

'Complete with a totally new look and venue this year, the Boat Show is set to break all sorts of records in participation, visitors and exhibitor profile to further reinforce its image as the premier showcase for the sailing industry in the region and beyond, with some of the region's most prestigious and influential buyers already registering for the event,' said DWTC Director General, Mubarak bin Fahad.

Apart from being the signal event for the industry in the region the show is complemented by the new venue the Dubai International Marine Club, which is widely regarded as the driving force behind international and national level watersports in the entire region. It offers ample open space for exhibitors and comes equipped with fully functional marina berths, craning and workshop facilities, all of which make for a far more user and exhibitor-friendly atmosphere. Just a short drive away from the heart of Dubai, the club also features the Le Meridien Mina Seyahi Beach Resort and Spa which offers 211 rooms with breathtaking oceanic views and every conceivable modern comfort.

Since it first took to the water more than a decade ago the Dubai International Boat Show has made tremendous leeway to reach the premier status that it enjoys today. This remarkable rise has been largely complemented by the fact that Dubai is at the heart of a rapidly developing region that has come to play an increasingly important role in the pleasure and leisure boating industry. Over the years the show has carved a niche for itself as the ultimare marine event in the region where both international and regional manufacturers and designers can showcase their wares to a select and highly discerning target market with a penchant for leisure and high disposable incomes.

Rapid marina growth in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) is also fuelling demand for new boats. New marina developments include Dubai Marina, Dubai Festival City and the massive new Palm Island projects off the coast of Dubai, which will be the world's largest artificial Islands. These projects and others in the UAE are estimated to add 4,000 marina berths to the existing capacity in the next five years.

Dubai is the undoubted centre of the Gulf leisure marine industry with an increasing number of boat builders servicing the Gulf and European markets. Furthermore Dubai is now one of the world's leading tourist destinations with its main emphasis on beach hotels and a marina lifestyle. Marine tourism is growing rapidly in the UAE as Gulf nationals and Europeans flock to enjoy the pleasant climate during the winter months.

More and more Gulf nationals are not travelling as much to overseas destinations in Europe and the USA as they did before 2001. Instead they are increasingly looking at concentrating their investments in local projects in the Gulf States rather than overseas. This has resulted in a substantial upturn in local tourism and leisure activities of which boating plays a significant part.

Strong growth in marine leisure is forecast for the short and medium in the UAE, Kuwait and Qatar. The market is benefiting from increased political stability after the occupation of Iraq and by the large number of marina and 'lifestyle' waterside developments under construction and the increasing number of overseas purchasers.

Of particular note in the development of the Gulf marine industry is the increasing number of marina projects that have been built in the late 1990's and those that are currently under construction or in the development stage. In Dubai the three major marinas, Dubai Creek Golf and Yacht Club, Dubai International Marine Club and the Jumeirah Beach Hotel Marina are all increasing their berth capacity.

In addition a massive project that will provide nearly one thousand extra berths is under construction at the Dubai Marina. Larger man made offshore Island projects 'Palm Island One and Two' incorporate several marinas and 60 hotels which commenced in 2001and are forecast to be completed by 2006 at a cost of US$3 billion.

Nearer the city centre the Dubai Festival City scheduled to be ready by 2006 will include a large marina. An important factor in the development of the Gulf marinas is their link with the new life style now evident in the region of shopping malls, restaurants and boardwalk shops. Many new marina developments incorporate these features and are very reminiscent of the latest developments in the USA and the Europe. The development of these 'lifestyle' marinas is a very positive one for the industry as it has also brought an increasing number of leisure boats to the market.

Boat Show 2004 already has some 50 plus boats with some over 20m in length occupying marina berths. Key exhibiting companies on water include:- Azimut, Baia Luxury Yachts, Pershing, Ferretti, Princess, Gulf Craft, Beneteau, Fairline, Du Sail, De Birs, AS Marine, Riviera Pool, Wally, Sea International and Sea Spray Aluminium Boats and many many more.

More than 200 plus companies from around the world will also be exhibiting within the air conditioned tented structure and external space.

Boat Show 2003 attracted 129 exhibitors from across Europe, the US, Canada, Australia, Egypt and a good number of local participants. The show drew a tremendous visitor response from the region and beyond with over Dhs 16 million (US$4.35 million) worth of deals being closed and 26 yachts being sold during the four days of the show.

This edition of the show has a comprehensive product profile which includes boats, boating equipment and engines, propulsion equipment, trailers, chandlery, sails, ropes, masts, heating and airconditioning, navigation equipment, accessories, communications and computer equipment, maintainence tools, marina construction, sports fishing products, diving, jet skis and windsurfing products to name a few.