Dubai boat show grows amid global credit crunch

BOAT SHOW: Boats on show at Dubai Marina. (Getty Images)

More marine companies will appear at Dubai’s 2009 international boat show than this year – despite a recent sales slump across the global industry, the event organiser has said.

The economic crisis has seen marine companies across the globe selling fewer boats but the 17th edition of the Dubai International Boat Show is bucking the trend, with the 2009 event set to be 15 percent bigger than this year’s exhibition.

“This year, more so than ever, companies are looking to emerging markets such as the Middle East for new opportunities,” said Helal Saeed Almarri, DIBS organiser and CEO of Dubai World Trade Centre.

The first super yacht pavilion, along with 400 boats from across the industry, will be on display at next year’s event. Yacht builders that will be present at the pavilion include Abeking & Rasmussen, Amels and Trinity Yachts.

An on-water display featuring super yachts will also take place during the exhibition, which is being held at Dubai International Marine Club – Mina Seyahi from March 3-7.

The latest dive equipment and services, and boat equipment supplies will be showcased at the exhibition. Meanwhile, the fifth Gulf boating conference titled: Where is the industry going? will focus on industry changes amid the global economic downturn.

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