Dubai International Boat Show drops anchor in sea of opportunity

With more than seven dozen boats to go on display in-water and on-ground at the forthcoming Dubai International Boat Show scheduled to take place at the Dubai International Marine Club - Mina Seyahi from 17th to 20th March, the event has underlined its status as the largest boat show in the Middle East.

"Big name boats and yachts from leading manufacturers including AS Marine, Azimut, Baia Luxury Yachts, Bavaria, Beneteau, Du Sail, De Birs, Fairline, Ferretti, Gulf Craft, Pershing, Princess, Riviera Pool, Sea Spray Aluminium Boats and Wally among others will go on display at the Boat Show and a vast variety of cruisers, high-performance racers, inflatables, jet skis, personal watercraft, motoryachts and sportfishing boats will vie for attention at the event," said oragniser Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC) General Manager Exhibitions, Leasing and Operations, Abdulla T. Qassem.

"The latest and greatest products for the marine enthusiast will be on display at the show including ultra-modern electronics, navigational systems, global mobile satellite communications, marine radios & receivers, depth finders, engines, fishing tackle, generators, radios, hardware, maps, diving equipment, nautical gear and much more," Mr. Qassem emphasised.

This year's event is designed to appeal to a cross section of marine enthusiasts across the entire spectrum of attendees and varied price ranges.

Rapid marina growth in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) is fuelling demand for new boats. New marina developments include Dubai Marina, Dubai Festival City and the massive 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 at the 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.

Boat Show 2004 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.