07 March 2007

DUBAI INTERNATIONAL BOAT SHOW BREAKING ALL RECORDS WITH BIGGEST EVER EDITION

DIBS records 53% increase in companies present with Inaugural Dive Exhibition and Luxurious Yachts among Highlights at Region's Leading Marine Event

Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Dubai will be the boating world's biggest attraction next week, as the gates open to the 15th edition of the Dubai International Boat Show (DIBS), the premier exhibition in the Middle East for the leisure marine industry.

Organised by the Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC), the Dubai International Boat Show will be an impressive 33 percent bigger than the previous year, with 20,000 square meters of net exhibition space and more than 142 boats exhibiting on the water.

As the region's largest gathering of leisure craft, equipment and associated services, DIBS continues to grow with an unprecedented 722 participating companies in 2007 (an increase of 53 percent).

The show, which will take place from 13 - 17 March 2007 at the Dubai International Marine Club, Mina Seyahi, is the most important event in the marine calendar for local manufacturers in the Middle East to showcase to the world their complete offering. The event is also a key platform for international manufacturers, dealers and distributors looking to tap into the regions booming leisure marine market.



(From left to right) Nadya Khan, project executive, Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC), Trixee Loh, DWTC general manager exhibitions, Helal Al Marri, DWTC director general; Saeed Harib, managing director of Dubai International Marine Club; Helen Wynd, project manager, Dubai International Boat Show, DWTC.

"The Dubai International Boat Show holds the position as the regions premier event for people involved in the business of boating, whether it's exhibitors launching new products or trade or public buyers looking for good deals and great marine leisure products," said Helal Saeed Al Marri, Director General of Dubai World Trade Centre.

"DIBS 2007 will bring together more than 25,000 boating enthusiasts from across the region to Dubai, a city steeped in maritime history and culture, for what will be the most exciting and impressive edition of the show," he added.

Interest in boats and sailing is at an all time high, driven in particular by the increasing availability of waterfront property, afforded by multi-million dollar developments and new marinas in Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Lebanon, Oman and the United Arab Emirates.

"As the market continues its impressive growth, manufacturers, dealers and distributors from across the Middle East are producing and importing greater numbers of high performance and luxury boats to cater for the demand," continued Helal Saeed Al Marri.

"In turn, prospective international buyers know that the first port-of-call must be the Dubai International Boat Show where they can explore the market and view the very latest range of boats, equipment and products," he added.

The show is divided into four main areas: the Marina Display Area, displaying both power and sailing boats; and the Luxury Supplies and Services Area, an indoor air-conditioned area bringing together boat builders, waterside developers, interior design companies, charters and brokers.

Some of the world's biggest manufacturers such as Luerssen from Germany and Amels from the Netherlands will be exhibiting in DIBS' Luxury Supplies and Services area, which will also house the impressive British Marine Federation pavilion, HISWA Holland Yachting Group and the German Boat Builders Association.

Other new national groups that will be represented at DIBS 2007 include UBI France, the National Marine Manufacturers America from the USA, British Marine Federation UK and Mauritius Marine.



Helal Al Marri, DWTC director general (left) with Saeed Harib, managing director of Dubai International Marine Club (right) at the press conference to launch this year’s Dubai International Boat Show

There is also the External Area, which showcases small to medium sized craft; and the Equipment Supplies and Services Area, grouping together an extensive range of marine equipment supplies and services

DIBS 2007 will also be a showcase for several superyachts, which are more than 25 metres in length offering luxurious facilities including state-size dining rooms as well as state-of-the-art entertainment and satellite communications systems.

ART Marine, one of the UAE's leading distributors of luxury yachts, will use DIBS as the platform for the world-wide premier of its brand new luxurious superyacht the Azimut 103S, which is more than 30 metres in length and can reach speeds of 35 knots.

Combining Italian style with the latest marine technology, the Azimut 103S offers 120 square-metres of usable external space, divided between the stern platform, the cockpit, the relaxing area at the bow and the new upper deck space.

Visitors will also be able to view a diverse range of marine products including fishing equipment, navigation systems and computer equipment, water sports clothing and marina equipment in the equipment and luxury supplies sections.

As well as viewing the state-of-the-art watercraft on display at the show, visitors will have the opportunity to win a brand new Yamaha SuperJet WaveRunner and a Laser Pico dinghy.

New to DIBS will be the Dive Middle East Exhibition (DMEX) 2007 which will bring together the leading names from the world of dive equipment, supplies and services and will provide a natural meeting point for divers and marine leisure enthusiasts.

Among the attractions on display will be a diving demonstration platform and a floating exhibition area to enthral visitors. Demonstrations will feature new underwater cameras and advanced underwater communication technologies, providing visitors on-land with a glimpse of the sea depths as well as. Visitors can also see Dubai ladies' free-diving champion, Sara Lise-Haith in action, with guidance and advice from experienced free-diving instructor Emma Farrel

Marine industry professionals are also signing up for the 3rd Gulf Boating Conference, which takes place at the Boat Show on the mornings of the 14 and 15 March, and is this year entitled, "The Expanding Regional Market".

The two day conference will address several important areas of modern boating including a guide to Islamic yacht financing, an in-depth look at the Indian leisure boating market and its links with Dubai and the Gulf States, and also boating regulations in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC).

DIBS takes place from 13 – 17 March 2007 at the Dubai International Marine Club, Mina Seyahi.