2013 China (Macau) International Yacht Import and Export Fair

by Guy Nowell, MarineBusiness-World.com on 1 Nov 2013 More than a yacht show, the 2013 China (Macau) International Yacht Import and Export Fair is an occasion that combines cars and aviation as well. Numerous events fill up a packed programme over three days, including an Asia Pacific Auto Summit, an Aviation Forum, an in-water display at the Macau Yacht Club (Qinzhou) and an indoor boat display at The Venetian Macau Resort Hotel.

The opening ceremony for both the car show and the yacht show were on Friday 1 November. The three-day programme for the weekend includes a private jet show at Macau Airport, the Yacht Babes Fashion and Swimwear Show, a Lafite Wine Tasting, as the GACG Trumpchi Cup Golf Invitation Tournament. There is also the opening of the Hangzhou Art Show featuring a collection of contemporary Chinese painting.

One of the local boat builders exhibiting this year is Seahorse Marine Zhongshan Co Ltd, builders of trawler-style boats for the US market. General Manager Natalie Ye told us that 'the Chinese market is more interested in fast and sexy powerboats', but there is also a growing interest in entry level sailing boats. This year Seahorse are exhibiting a 19’ yacht in the indoor section of the boat show. Ms Yu also tells us that the Chinese clientele is substantially different from Western buyers. 'With Chinese customers it is ‘see-buy-drive away’. Overseas customers are happy to place an order and then wait for the boat to be built and delivered.' Next year, Seahorse plan to display a 52’ Sedan trawler – 'ready to drive away.'