Exhibitors and visitors from across five contents hailed the event as one of the most successful and impressive shows in recent years.

With more than 750 international companies and brands taking part, Dubai International Boat Show attracted more than 26,000 visitors and recorded around AED 500 million worth of onsite sales, with exhibitors expecting around the same value to come, making the show the most effective springboard for many companies looking to expand into the region and beyond.

ART Marine, one of the boat show’s largest exhibitors reported record-breaking sales totaling AED 240 million during the show, with more to come as a result of their participation. ‘The Dubai International Boat Show has been a leading networking platform and a premier showcase event for the leisure marine industry in the Middle East,’ said Constantinos Constantinou, CEO, ART Marine. ‘These are strong results and the quality products represented by ART Marine, along with our reputation for providing the ultimate in customer service, have once again shown our unrivalled commitment to our clients.’

Helal Saeed Almarri, CEO, Dubai World Trade Centre, organiser of the event said: ‘This event not only confirms that the leisure marine industry has a strong and a healthy future in the Middle East, it also illustrates the show’s fundamental importance as a business channel to the rest of the world. For nearly two decades the Dubai International Boat Show has driven the industry to push new boundaries, both financially and geographically and this year’s edition has reinforced its position as one of the five top boat shows in the world as a sales and business platform.’

Gulf Craft, who have been participating in Dubai International Boat Show since its first edition in 1992 introduced four world launches and recorded sales at this year’s show of AED 70 million.

One of the show’s many spectacular highlights was the record sale of a 40 meter Sunseeker superyacht, which was bought for AED 100 million.

The show set off at a lightning pace, when a AED 1.4 million fishing cruiser on display at Al Dhaen’s stand was sold less than an hour after the show’s opening ceremony. One of the deals to be signed after attending the show includes an order from the Government of Sudan for 45 boats worth AED 18.5 million.

More than 425 breathtaking yachts and boats on water and dry land, and dedicated supplies and luxury services areas attracted a host of leading international exhibitors. Bangladesh, Belgium, Czech Republic, Monaco, Oman, Singapore, Sri Lanka and the Ukraine all joined the show’s growing list of global participants.

Mary-Anne Edwards, CEO, Australian International Marine Export Group, the globally recognised brand for the Australian marine industry, said: ‘Interest in the Australian Pavilion was high with all exhibitors either making sales or some excellent leads and contacts. In fact, it was felt the business done at the show was for some at least double previous years. The Dubai International Boat Show is a vital platform for the Australian exhibitors, it attracts businesses from all over the world, including those from key growth markets such as India and Russia, and the response they have received from this event is excellent on all business levels.’

The event attracted visitors and boating professionals from across the world, from enthusiasts to fanatics. ‘I have visited boat shows in Europe and the US, and Dubai is certainly one of the best for browsing as well as buying. The international brands ensure that everything is here from the huge superyachts to diving kits, and the whole ambience makes for an outstanding event,’ said Sean Bayliss from the United States.

The prestige of the show was again highlighted with a record number of global premieres and regional launches. Eleven boats and other marine products were unveiled for the first time anywhere in the world and thirty were put on sale for the first time in the Middle East.

Chris Tanner, Director of Wave Craft, a marine performance company from Hampshire in the UK, said: ‘It was an absolutely fantastic show for us. We took part in the Southampton boat show last year and the Florida Boat Show just before we came to Dubai and sold around a third of our stock at each event. At the Dubai International Boat Show, we completely sold out and are still taking orders for more. To sell three times as many products as we did at two of the other most famous shows in the world is a testament to the success of the show and the target audience it attracts.’

The 19^th edition of Dubai International Boat Show welcomed more members of the world’s most prestigious superyacht builders association (SYBAss) than ever before in its history. Eleven of the most illustrious names gathered together for the first time in Dubai. ‘The Dubai International Boat Show is a vital platform for some of the most impressive and best known superyacht builders and a natural choice for the highest calibre companies,’ said Michael Breman, Sales Director, L rssen Yachts, and President of SYBAss. ‘And this event is by far the best in the Middle East to both illustrate and increase L rssen’s international success,’

The Supercar Promenade made its first appearance alongside the show, with some of the motoring world’s most elite luxury brands wowing the crowds. One of the stars of the show, a Bentley Continental Flying Spur Speed was sold for just under AED1 million. George Duncan, General Manager, Prestige Cars, said: ‘This was an extremely successful show for Bentley Emirates. The sale of the model we had on display is fantastic, and the visibility and the opportunity for us to showcase our prestige brand have been equally valuable. The Supercar Promenade is an excellent feature to run alongside the boat show, and the exposure to a truly international audience from the Middle East, Europe and the Americas is a great marketing tool for us to show what makes Bentley such a highly desirable product.’

Next year sees the 20^th anniversary of the Dubai International Boat Show, with more international exhibitors and visitors expected than ever before.