China boat show breaks new record

by IBI Magazine on 14 Apr 2006 According to show organiser CMP Sinoexpo, visitor numbers were up 30 per cent over the previous year to 21,000, with wealthy end-users and industry professionals leaving exhibitors more than satisfied.

'Exhibitors were delighted to meet a largely increased share of potential end-users and highly qualified traders leading to contracts being signed at the show,' said the organiser. 'By yesterday the participants in the yacht section had confirmed sales worth several million Euro. Amongst boats sold directly onsite were a Mustang 42, a Regal 356 and a Jeanneau Prestige 42.'

Around 320 companies exhibited at CIBS 2006, which ran from April 6-9 at the Shanghai International Exhibition Center, resulting in a 25 per cent increase over the previous year. Total exhibition floor space was up by 40 per cent to around 23,000m3. It was also the first time that CIBS featured an on-water display, with around 52 yachts in the main outdoor area.

'Yachting and pleasure boating as a lifestyle is a new idea in China — but as we could see now it is met by huge interest,' says Jerome Hainz from CMP Sinoexpo. 'The success of the boat show confirms that that more and more Chinese are getting into maritime leisure.'

'We could see that yachting is not a dream any more, but it has arrived in China,' says Olivier Bulot, publisher of China Boating and Asia Pacific Boating, the official media partner of CIBS.

Next year's China International Boat Show is expected to run from April 5-8, 2007.