Qatar International Boat Show to ‘exceed last year’s showcase’

  Organisers of the second edition of Qatar International Boat Show speaking to the media yesterday. PICTURE: Thajudeen

By Joey Aguilar/Staff Reporter

More than 100 exhibitors will participate in the second edition of the Qatar International Boat Show (QIBS), which will be held from November 11 to 15 at the Mourjan Marina in Lusail City. 

The event is expected to attract an estimated 20,000 visitors, possibly doubling previous year’s figures, the organisers said.

It will be held under the auspices of HE the Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa al-Thani. The show will be open daily from 3pm to 9.30pm. 

Speaking at a press conference yesterday, boat show project director George Kapoulas told reporters that the upgraded exhibition features 25,000sqm of water basin surface where 60 luxury and some mega yachts will be on display.

The boat show will also cover 10,000sqm (land) of pavilions and outdoor areas for various activities and special events. A dedicated area on the left wing will be used to promote Qatar’s rich culture and heritage.

Kapoulas said special events such as the VIP opening ceremony, water sport attractions, supercar owners’ parade, a lifestyle show and the gala dinner will be among the highlights of QIBS 2014.

Besides an “atmospheric VIP area”, a new section devoted to luxury products and services will be set up besides a unique floating media centre.

Citing the achievements of QIBS last year, he noted that 40 boats were on display and 65 leading exhibitors from 16 countries participated, including Qatar, Bahrain, Canada, Cyprus, Egypt, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Kuwait, Poland, Switzerland, Turkey, the UAE and the UK.

He said the boat show attracted more than 10,500 visitors last year and a total of 10 boats were sold from local and regional shipyards and dealers pegged at QR100mn. It also spent over QR16mn for public relations, advertising, media distribution and coverage.

This year, acclaimed brands such as Azimut, Sea Ray, Princess, Ferreti, Riva, Gulf Craft, Sunseeker, Prestige, Itama, As Marine, San Lorenzo, Benetti, Sunreef, Esen Yachts, Ares, Lagoon, Amer Yachts, Cranchi and Everglades, among others, will be present at the boat show.

In a press statement, Snow Comms, the organiser of the event, said Mourjan Marinas – Lusail City is expanding its capacity to allow a further 48 berths in time for the show.

It is also currently dredging the seabed by an additional 1.5m, which will allow mega yachts of up to 45m in length to enter the basin and berth at the marina.

It will soon have a new state-of-the-art refuelling station.

“Our role is to support the local boating industry and open it up to the wider community,” said Wayne Shepherd, general manager at Mourjan Marinas – Lusail City.

He believes that the QIBS plays an important role in supporting the continued growth of the industry and boating culture in Qatar.