Record Visitor Numbers for Boat Asia 2007

Boat Asia 2007 ended on a high note with more than 10,000 visitors in total by the end of the final day – a recording breaking increase from 7,400 last year. The boat show was launched on Thursday with a big bang by Guest of Honour, Dr. Vivian Balakrishnan, Singapore's Minister for Community Development, Youth and Sports who made his grand entrance into the marina at Sentosa Cove on a speed boat. This year’s event also saw a record increase in new as well as returning exhibitors who came in on a much larger scale.

Over the four days, thousands of boating enthusiasts flocked to Sentosa Cove and were treated to 46 on-water and on-land boat displays at Boat Asia 2007. Visitors enjoyed a wide selection of marine crafts from the most sophisticated motor boats to indulgent luxury yachts. Highlights included the Ferretti 460, Lagoon 500, the Raja Laut, the Asian debut of the über-luxurious Azimut 116 superyacht and Boat Asia’s first house boats on display, the Bondway EXII and COMOS 55. Visitors of all ages were also treated to an exciting array of water-sport activities happening on-site such as jet-skiing, wakeboarding, canoeing and dinghy sailing. In addition, Boat Asia visitors witnessed the crowning of the glamorous Miss Boat Asia 2007. That honour went to Singaporean Nurun Nisha Mohd Heallmy (aka Tatiana), a 19-year old Mass Communications student at Ngee Ann Polytechnic.

Hundreds of potential boat buyers logged onto the unique “Book a Boat Viewing” system featured on the event’s official website. This feature allowed visitors to beat the queues and secure appointments in advance to go aboard and experience first-hand tours of their preferred boats. Another highlight of this year’s event was the inaugural Waterfront Luxury Lifestyle Pavilion. On display at the specially organised showcase were waterfront developments and luxury products such as Audi’s sleek TT Coupe, RS4, and the Q7 – Audi’s first generation SUV, and Miele’s marine range of world-class selections.

Returning exhibitor, Simpson Marine provides a wide range of yacht services and is the exclusive dealer for many of the world’s leading yacht brands in the region. General Manager of Simpson Marine Hong Kong, Mr. Bill Hutchison said, “Boat Asia is recognised as the number one Boat Show in Southeast Asia and this year attracted a wide range of visitors from Singapore and around the region, including Indonesia, India, Malaysia and Thailand. In addition to an increase in show numbers, we have also seen a greater number of serious boat buyers at Boat Asia this year – people who have done the research and want to enjoy a boat. We look forward to closing several deals during the next few weeks of follow-up.”

Neptune Marine, also a returning exhibitor, echoed the same sentiments. “Boat Asia 2007 gave us the opportunity to increase awareness of the Elling Cruiser and Neptune range. We received many inquiries and positive feedback from potential clients and look forward to returning next year, hopefully with a boat,” said Simon Chua, Director of Neptune Marine.

Gordon Hui, Managing Director of Sunseeker Asia is excited about the show’s turnout this year and commented, “There were a high number of queries and we have spoken to several serious buyers, including a representative from Keppel Marina. With the new marinas, renovation going on in Nong Sar and new cruising routes, the boating industry has a promising future. We are hoping to build a partnership with our customers in Singapore, as we do in Hong Kong, and will be back with a boat to display in 2008.”

The inaugural Boat Thai will be held in Bangkok from 27 to 29 April. Reservations for Boat Asia 2008, which takes place from 24-27 April at Sentosa Cove, have already started.

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