Organisers hoping show will put Qatar on the boating map
The first edition of the Qatar International Boat Show (QIBS) 2013 will take place from the 12-16 November at the Lusail Marina located within Lusail City. The marina is operated by Dubai-based marina developer and manager Mourjan Marinas.
QIBS will host events both on land and in the water, with around 100 international and local exhibitors attending, 150 boats on display, 5 global and regional launches and an estimated 15,000 visitors.
The opening hours will be from 3.00pm to 9.30pm for both trade professionals and the general public. It will host a variety of motorboats, cruisers, yachts, fishing boats, speedboats, recreational family boats up to 30m in size, and leisure marine products. In addition, dedicated areas will be available, offering information and advice regarding boat servicing, insurance, accessories, water sports, navigation equipment, engines, fixtures and fittings as well as fishing products.
Lusail Marina is located along the coast just north of Doha in the Lusail City development. It features 93 modern floating berths that can host yachts of 10-40 metres in length.
“We have already signed with some of the biggest marine and leisure supply companies and distributors who seek to capitalise on Qatar’s booming economy and the upcoming marine industry,” said Faysal Mikati, Vice President of Snow Comms – the event’s organiser. “The plan is to put Qatar on the map in terms of the international boat show circuit by becoming one of the main destinations for regional yacht and boat companies, as well as international companies involved in leisure and water sports, seeking investment opportunities in the GCC markets, estimated at around QR 750m.
“Recent studies on salaries of senior management executives, who are key customers for yachts and luxury boats, have revealed that disposable income of managers in the GCC is the highest in the world with all Gulf countries dominating the top six rankings,” he added.
Abdulaziz Al Zeyara, Strategic Planning Senior Manager, Lusail Real Estate Development Company said »Lusail Marina aims to become the number one destination for the yachting circuit in Qatar and Lusail City is pleased to be hosting the first edition of the Qatar International Boat Show as we are confident it will be a huge success.’’
Organised by international agency Snow Comms, and licenced by the Qatar Tourism Authority, it is hoped the Qatar International Boat Show will become an ideal marketing and networking platform for leading industry players in the boating and maritime sector in Qatar. (https://plus.ibinews.com, 11 September 2013)