DUBAI, U.A.E., March 8, 2004 (PRIMEZONE) -- Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC), organisers of the Dubai International Boat Show, announced that the forthcoming (17th to 20th March) exhibition would be the most comprehensive edition of the show with more than seven-dozen noteworthy boats scheduled to go on display at the Dubai International Marine Club (DIMC).
"Easily the most striking among the many remarkable boats that will be exhibited this year will be the super-luxury Forty Love priced at 15.9 million Euros (AED 73 million approx.) which will also be the most expensive boat on display," said DWTC General Manager Exhibitions, Leasing and Operations Abdulla T. Qassem.
He noted that Forty Love, a 42-metre (138-feet) vessel, can accommodate ten guests in 4 double and one twin cabin and is dedicated to the pursuit of outdoor pleasure. "The interior of the vessel has been designed in such a way that it gives easy access to all five decks, providing 360-degree views in the saloon and dining area," remarked Mr. Qassem.
Other big name boats and yachts from leading manufacturers including AS Marine, Azimut, Baia Luxury Yachts, Bavaria, Beneteau, Du Sail, De Birs, Fairline, Ferretti, Gulf Craft, Pershing, Princess, Riviera Pool, Sea Spray Aluminium Boats and Wally will also be displayed at the Boat Show including a variety of cruisers, high-performance racers, inflatables, jet skis, personal watercraft, motoryachts and sportfishing boats.
Dubai is the undoubted centre of the Gulf leisure marine industry with an increasing number of boat builders servicing the Gulf and European markets. Furthermore, Dubai is now one of the world's leading tourist destinations with its main emphasis on beach hotels and a marina lifestyle. Marine tourism is growing rapidly in the UAE as Gulf nationals and Europeans flock to enjoy the pleasant climate during the winter months.
Dubai has some of the best boating facilities in the region and a rapidly growing network of marinas that in turn have attracted an increasing number of exhibitors to participate in the Boat Show.
The venue for the event, DIMC, offers ideal site options for both external exhibits and water displays. DIMC was established in 1988 to promote and develop watersports in the United Arab Emirates. Since that time, the Club has surpassed its brief and is now firmly established as the driving force behind the growth of national and international watersport events in the Middle East, by becoming the first Arab organisation to be granted full membership of UIM (Union Internationale Motonautique), the governing body of Motorised Watersports in the world.
"Boat building is one of Dubai's oldest traditions and now the emirate is gaining ground with higher ratios of pleasure craft per capita that have served to attract an increasing number of international exhibitors to the event as well as buyers from the neighboring GCC countries and beyond," said Mr. Qassem, an avid boating enthusiast himself.
Some 129 exhibitors participated at the event last year, 67% of whom were international exhibitors from Australia, Canada, Denmark, Egypt, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Netherlands, Norway, the UK, and the USA. The event attracted boat and equipment manufacturers, designers, dealers, distributors, importers and exporters, and rental outlets among others.