One of the most grand boat shows, the Dubai International Boat Show '08 concluded yesterday on a very successful note and at the same time an alarming response from the public - both local and international.
Our Dubai representative, Jay Joshi - covered the huge show held at the Mina Seyahi. The massive scale and the highlights were tremendous and it would definitely take 5 whole days to cover every inch of the show and give justice to this spectacle.
DUBAI INTERNATIONAL BOAT SHOW '08 HIGHLIGHTS
Record Turnout and Sales - With international gates opening to the Mid-East through Dubai, the show saw an increase in the number of European visitors, which in-turn is good for the Gulf-based manufacturers - in terms of exposure to such clientele. More than 25,000 visitors graced the event and hundreds of boats were sold in the first 4 days itself.
A Water-y Solution - VIP Guests were in for a surprise, when for the first time ever a 'water-y solution' to traffic woes associated with shows of such a grand scale, was applied.
All the VIP Guests were taken by boats from the VIP Parking and were dropped off at the main venue. This allowed them to get a closer look and feel to the boats present there.
Gulf market enters into a 'new era' - With the public presence of huge numbers and at the same time sales being made over varied types of marine and boat equipment, one can assume that the market has matured and is entering into a new era of acceptance and willingness shown by the yachting fraternity there.
Silver Craft makes waves - Gulf Craft inc, the Middle East's largest boat and yacht manufacturer, has sold over 100 boat Silver Craft portfolio in the first two days of the Dubai International Boat Show 2008 netting sales figures nearly $6 million.
The Silver Craft range is the company's latest product line up and includes the new luxury Silver Craft 37 model, which represents the new generation of leisure craft. 
Boat Ownership to grow @ 15% p.a. - The amazing effort behind the show is justifiable, since the Dubai Maritime City, the world's first purpose-built maritime centre and a member of the Dubai World Group of companies, has predicted that boat ownership levels in Dubai will increase by 15% within the next twelve months, as a result of the increased availability of berthing space and better maritime facilities.
JAY TALK
Team Giira's Jay, a resident of Dubai since birth was astounded by the 'scale and sale' of the Dubai Boat Show.
"The Dubai Boat Show generated massive public interest and proved to be an overwhelming experience for the exhibitors. Over 400 exhibitors gathered during
this event showcasing the best of what the industry could offer. Right from the nitty-gritty to luxurious yatches were on display. The event also gave a first-hand oppurtunity to the visitors to really expore and experience the in and outs of the magnificent yachts. There were no restrictions, people could walk in and out of the yachts and experience themselves. This show wasn't only for those with big bucks in the pocket, a layman too had his share... "
"At the end of it all, the yachting industry seems to have gained a strong foothold in this region and is set to witness tremendous growth. The Dubai Boat show 2009 promises to be even bigger an event."
"Convergence - was the most important highlight of this show. How industries such as construction, electrical, navigation, commerce, transportation etc. combined at this event, would be possible only in Dubai, due to it's ongoing current socio-economic cycle - being the gateway to the mid-east. No other boat show can boast of so many industries coming together at the same point and hence this show was very 'Dubai'."
GO DUBAI!!
India should take a strong inspiration from Dubai and its yachtsmen since the cultural issues with regards to yachts and sailing over the Indian Sub-continent are very much the same. Dubai seems to have not only provided a solution for it but has even done good for the worldwide industry. Surely, India can contribute in its own manner in a big way if right measures are implemented.
THANKS Jay !
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Mar 16, 2008
Dubai International Boat Show '08 : GIIRA at THE Show!
Mar 14, 2008
Regatta / Boat Show Update - March '08
March is one busy month for the International Yachting with as many as 14 boat shows happening within a span of 30 days - including the most prestigious ones like the Dubai International Boat Show (11th to 15th) and the Madrid Boat Show (12th to 16th).
Meanwhile, regattas and boat shows go hand-in-hand nowadays in order to hype-up a upcoming boat show - and thanks to the corporate backing nowadays, there is a lot of participation and awareness surrounding these.
BOAT SHOWS THIS MONTH
1) Mar 1-9 Stockholm International Boat Show (Stockholm, Sweden)
2) Mar 4-9 HISWA Amsterdam Boat Show (Amsterdam, Netherlands)
3) Mar 5-9 Yacht Vision ’08 (Auckland, New Zealand)
4) Mar 6-9 Austrian Boat Show (Tulln, Austria)
5) Mar 6-9 Japan International Boat Show (Yokohama, Japan)
6) Mar 6-9 Auckland International Boat Show (Auckland, New Zealand)
7) Mar 11-15 Dubai International Boat Show (Dubai, United Arab Emirates)
8) Mar 12-16 Madrid Boat Show (Madrid, Spain)
9) Mar 13-16 Wind and Water Boat Show (Warsaw, Poland)
10) March 19-23 World Match Racing Tour (Vitoria, Brazil)
11) Mar 27-30 Palm Beach Boat Show (West Palm Beach, Fla., USA)
12) Mar 28-30 International Rolex Regatta (St Thomas, US Virgin Islands)
13) Mar 28-30 Swan Maxi Trofeo Aurora Regate di Primavera (Portofino, Italy)
14) Mar 31-Apr 6 BVI Spring Regatta (Tortola, British Virgin Islands)
REGATTAS THIS MONTH
Two major Regattas - the Clipper Round the World Race, and the Brisbane to Gladstone Yacht Race are this month.
While another sailboat got dis-masted in the Clipper Race, Durban 2010 and Beyond, one of the ten yachts competing in the Clipper 07-08 Round the World Yacht Race has been dismasted during the race from Qingdao, China, to Hawaii.
Durban 2010 and Beyond’s dismasting is not thought to have been caused in the same manner as westernaustralia2011.com’s rig failure on Wednesday 5 March.
Meanwhile, challenges will come from several quarters for the eight Mooloolaba Yacht Club boats racing in this year’s 308 nautical mile 60th anniversary Brisbane to Gladstone Yacht Race. 
The fleet of up to 90 monohulls and multihulls will meet on the two start lines at 11am on Easter Friday for the coastal dash to Gladstone.
A very important development in world sailing events is the annual Lion of Africa’s Yacht Race. South Africa’s women sailors are given an opportunity to take part in the only race of its kind in Africa at the Royal Cape Yacht Club on Saturday, March 15.
Only female skippers and crews are allowed to enter the race, which is a fairly familiar concept internationally but in its sixth year in South Africa, this has become a fixture on the local sailing scene.
If necessary, the yacht owner or their representative (even if it’s a man) will be allowed on the boats to observe only.
Watch this space for further updates and final results on the above events.
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Mar 13, 2008
Dubai International Boat Show Kicks Off
To give you a little more details about the boat show – The venue – UAE Dubai – Ideally located on Right from rope suppliers to magazines to interior designers, this years boat show covers it all. Click here to have a look at all the exhibitors on the event. There will be approximately 400 yachts for display and which will include 10 super yachts, The show has attracted a record-breaking 800 exhibiting companies from 48 countries. It is also a key event for sales of boats, yachts and marine accessories. Divided into four areas, On-Water Area, External Area, Equipment Supplies and Services, and Luxury Supplies and Services Area - the latter has grown by over 38 percent - the show covers a total of 24,000 m2 on land - compared to 8,750 m² at the Monaco Yacht Show in 2007. Just to give you some numbers on the past of the Dubai international boat show - Exhibition Statistics 2006 2007 % Increase Companies Represented--- 472---- 722 ----- 53% Number of Boats ------------ 126 -- 142---- 13% Visitors ------------------22,418 --- 24,456-- 9% Stats source - minaeffect.com
The Dubai International Boat Show is organized by Dubai World Trade Center (DWTC), which has been at the forefront of exhibitions in the
The show this year will also feature the largest ever On-Water display, with a total of 158 boats and yachts and that’s not all it also boasts of 800 exhibitors from 48 countries this year making it one of the most popular and sought after boat shows internationally.
Exhibitors--------------- 258---- 460----- 78%