QATAR INTERNATIONAL BOAT SHOW appoints New Show Director Building on the success of 2015 event!
The Qatar International Boat Show (QIBS) has a new Director who will oversee the planning and implementation of 2016 fourth edition building on the notable success of the third edition held in No
vember this year.
Anna-Denise Ioannou is the newly appointed Director and the 2016 show is scheduled to be held on October 25-29, 2016 at the Lusail Marina.
“In my role as the Managing Partner of Snowcomms, the official organizer of the Qatar International Boat,” she said, “I was involved from the very beginning in orchestrating the concept of having an International Boat Show event in Qatar. The vision of our late Chairman, Essa Al Mannai, and the CEO of Snowcomms, Faysal Mikati, of bringing to Qatar an international event of the highest standards, shall remain our core focus and direction for years to come.”
“The Qatar International Boat Show 2015 edition, closed with a 20% increase in visitors; numerous international partnership deals, and strong sales of more than QR100mln. QIBS 2015 welcomed 15,444 visitors throughout the four day event, which played host to exhibitors from around the world with more than 120 leading brands on display.”
Gulf Craft and Art Marine were amongst a number of exhibitors that reported business concluded during the show. Erwin Bamps, CEO of Gulf Craft, stated: “We have had a number of sales, including a superyacht, two smaller vessels and others such as the two new global launches.” The superyacht is understood by to be a 41m (135ft) Majesty 135. The two global launches were the Silvercraft 31 HD and Oryx 43 Fly.
A consistent key benefit of QIBS is the significant return on investment for exhibitors, many of whom reported strong sales; serious inquiries and significant partnership opportunities. With 85 boats on display, QIBS experienced a 13 per cent rise compared with 2014. There was a particularly significant rise in the number of superyachts with seven being shown representing over 8 per cent of the total. Of these, the biggest of which was a 41-metre Gulf Craft Majesty 135 with the others being a Majesty 105; an Amer 82, a Numarine 102, an Azimut 80, Azimut 85, and Azimut 95.
“This year’s edition has seen greatly expanded offerings and increased international presence through our promotions around the globe,” said Faysal Mikati, Founder and CEO of Snowcomms and conceptualizer of the Qatar International Boat Show. “The impact of QIBS will continue to be seen throughout the next 12 months and it will surpass the significant achievements of 2014. With more than 20 sales confirmed and countless more in the pipeline, we expect an even greater economic impact for the 2016 event.”
70% of the international exhibitors are well-established international brands representing many of the top names in the maritime industry, including many repeat exhibitors from last year. Ventura Gulf Yachting’s Fountaine-Pajot range of power catamarans had already received half a dozen serious enquiries before the Show had finished, while four of its Quadrofoils had also been sold in addition to a large number of serious enquiries.
Furthermore, Pink Lady Charters which offers specialised charters for ladies only and features an all-female crew, received over 20 firm orders together with another 150 serious enquiries. With three all-in one-day charter packages on offer, the company was being asked to quote for charters they hadn’t even planned for from Qatar to Bahrain and also to the UAE, as well as for specialised dates and festivals. Balhambar Boats Factory sold four of the boats that they had on show at QIBS 2015 and received firm orders for another four.
Alfardan Marine had 12 definite orders and another eight tentative orders for their Verado 300/350 series of supercharged 4-stroke engines which retail for between QR 160,000- 200,000 apiece. Go Sports all around sports shop in Qatar saw a 16 per cent increase in sales since last year of its kayaks and stand-up paddle boards.
Dubai-based yacht builder, Suprema Marine, has expanded its range with a new 13.4m (44ft) model which was globally launched at QIBS 2015. This new model comes in two designs and Suprema is embarking of building 10 of these new designs. Suprema is also building a new model a 63ft yacht which the company anticipates debuting at QIBS 2016.
QIBS 2016, Show Director Anna-Denise Ioannou commented; “Many of our exhibitors are impressed with the increase in offerings at QIBS, and we will continue to expand on this throughout 2016. I can’t speak to specifics but we are been notified of a number of partnerships, collaborations and joint ventures coming out of the show. Now in the path to our fourth year, we expect increased regional advancement and significant economic impact as QIBS is becoming a strong international player in the evolving marine industry.”