The recent expansion in Dubai mega projects, which includes Bluewaters Island and Mohamed Bin Rashid City will help enhance the status of the Dubai International Boat Show as a major catalyst to lift the boat industry in the UAE and GCC overall, Saeed Hareb, Senior Advisor of Dubai International Boat Show, told media yesterday.
The 21st edition of the Dubai International Boat Show, the region’s leading leisure marine event, will kick off on March 5-9 at the Dubai Internatinal Marine Club (DIMC), Mina Seyahi, where 430 boats, including 19 luxurious superyachts will be on show next week. Pointing to the remarkable growth in the regional marine industry, Helal Saeed Almarri, CEO of Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC) and Director General of the Dubai Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM), said: “This year’s impressive line-up of global and regional launches and the large increase in international participation, serves as a true barometer of the stability and strength of the regional maritime industry."
Erwin Bamps, chief operating officer of Gulf Craft, said the large number of high net worth individuals is driving the demand for luxury marine craft.
"Year-on-year we have witnessed an impressive growth in the Gulf's marine industry with customers spanning across the globe, to include a significant number of local customers. Gulf Craft continues to see an increase in sales across our portfolio of luxury marine craft, with many of these orders being placed at or as a direct result of the Dubai International Boat Show," Bamps added. “The smallest boat we have will go for just over Dhs100,000. I am standing here talking about super yachts - that’s what people like to dream about - but to be honest we sell from small car prices, just over Dhs100,000. Whoever is able to afford a car can afford a boat.”
In the pictures below, at the Dubai International Boat show Press Conference Feb 24, 2012
L-to-R: Trixee Loh, VP Exhibition and Events Management, DWTC; Erwin Bamps, Chief Operating Officer, Gulf Craft; Saeed Hareb, Senior Advisor, Dubai International Boat Show; H.E. Helal Saeed Almarri, CEO of Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC) and Director General of the Dubai Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM); Ali Bin Ghulaita, CEO of Dubai International Marine Club; Hassan AlHashemi, External Relations Director Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry; Henk Erenstein, managing partner of VanDutch Marine
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