Dynamic Conclusion For The First Boat Show In Abu Dhabi
About 13,000 visitors attended the first Emirates Boat Show International 2008 in Abu Dhabi - Excellent Boat Sales reported despite the economic downturn
EBSI 2008 established another world class event for the boating industry in the Middle East. The decision of the show organizers - Knotika Holding - to turn to Abu Dhabi as the host for an international boat show has proven to be a successful initiative.
Over 13,000 visitors attended the Emirates Boat Show International in Abu Dhabi during the five days of the Show from November 25th – 29th. Wael Juju, CEO of Knotika Holding is very pleased about the successful launching of the show: “we would like to thank H.H. Sheikh Dr. Sultan Bin Khalifa Al Nahyan, H.H. Sheikh Saif Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, H.H. Sheikh Sultan Bin Tahnoon and H.H. Sheikh Rashed Al Muaala for their continued support of this event.”
More than 100 companies exhibited at this inaugural event, providing a fantastic benchmark for the future of EBSI 2008.
Visitors welcomed a show of this caliber in Abu Dhabi and were pleased with the timings which coincide with the start of the boating season in The Gulf. The hugely positive reaction of the yacht and boat exhibitors was a clear sign that good quality visitors attended the show.
Captain Alessio Tumbiolo, Chairman of ART Marine’s feedback on the show was positive. “It was a satisfactory show with a good variety of yachts and boats. The attendance and quality of people was great and despite of the bad economy there has been indeed lots of consistent inquiries.”
According to Mohammad Al Sayed, Executive Manager from Dubai Marine, "Organization was very good; additionally 50% of our total sales come from the UAE, 20% are from Abu Dhabi and 30% from Dubai; which is extremely beneficial. I am expecting sales in Abu Dhabi to increase over the next few years and looking forward to that.”
According to a survey carried out immediately after the close of the Show, over US$15 million worth of boats were sold at this event which is a fantastic result and can only grow as EBSI establishes itself on the international boat show calendar.
Wael Juju said: “the results of the first EBSI were phenomenal and many of this year’s exhibitors have already requested to book their stand for EBSI 2009 and majority of these companies have requested more space than 2008.
Wael Juju continued: “We have gained valuable experiences which we will use for the next Emirates Boat Show International in 2009; and we look forward to establishing Abu Dhabi as the epicenter of the leisure marine industry in the Middle East.
