China Xiamen International Boat Show - Bigger event slated in 2013

by Veronique Largeau on 22 Dec 2012 The China Xiamen International Boat Show 2013, which will run from 1 to 4 November, is expected to get even bigger than its previous editions after the EuropExpo and GPO officially assumed the role as the event’s organisers. Established in 2008, the Xiamen International Boat Show aims to approach and develop commercial relations with China along with the development of the sport of sailing in the Asian powerhouse. A number of known businesses and personalities in the industry will attend the event set in the beautiful city of Xiamen, a bustling city situated on the southwest coast of China.

Having co-organised the Shenzhen International Boat Show three times (from 2009 to 2011), and being aware of the difficulties in accommodating their exhibitors both ashore and afloat, EuropExpo and the Grand Pavois Organisation are building on their development strategy within China by taking over the running of the China Xiamen International Boat Show from 2013 onwards.

Previous shows hold out promise!
Created in 2008, the China Xiamen International Boat Show (CXIBS) has developed fast, and after only a few Shows has already become one of the most important events in the Asian nautical calendar.

Laid out in the Xiamen marina, 300 pontoon locations are now available in the exhibition, offering excellent potential for development of the show. The No. 1 Water-Based Boat Show In China, with 30,000 square metres of land-based exhibition space, plus 20,000 square metres afloat, and with 200 boats on display, the CXIBS holds all the trumps to become the new key meeting-place for international pleasure boating in China.

Some revealing figures : 137 international exhibitors were present in 2012 ; 38 boats were sold ; and the Show generated ¥ 200,000,000 Yuan (£20,000,000) turnover of brands present, an increase of 18% compared to 2011. So far as visitors are concerned, 10,000 people strolled around the pontoons of Xiamen marina, with more than 1,000 identifiable prospective purchasers.

Most visitors came from Sanya, Hong Kong, Shanghai, Xinjiang, Beijing, Henan and Shannxi. On the major sales side, a Majesty 105 Superyacht priced at ¥ 65,000,000 Yuan (£6,500,000), a Majesty 88 Yacht and an 80-foot Ferretti were all sold during the four days of the 2012 exhibition.

Xiamen, a town which looks to the sea!
The size and the quality of the navigable waters, the enthusiasm of the authorities for developing the tourism and nautical sectors, the growing power of the middle classes which allows them to look for a strong short-term market development in China, infrastructure programmes in full swing (notably the construction of ports and marinas), leisure clubs in full growth . . . China is looking towards water sports, and is one of the few countries with a strong economic development geared towards the international nautical industry.

And Xiamen is one of its pearls! This town, facing across the Taiwan Strait to Taiwan, has an amazing potential for economic development, with 7,000,000 residents in its urban community and an income per capita well above the Chinese average. The town has had a growth rate of 15% over the last few years (as compared with under 10% for the rest of China). And if it is a ‘second-rank’ town in the scale of the Chinese population, its senior-management population is opening up more and more to leisure, and so to watersports.

Xiamen, the future Mecca of Chinese pleasure boating . . .
Xiamen is also a Mecca for tourism in China (Destination No. 1 for the Chinese) thanks to its temperatures and pleasant weather (eight months of the year with temperatures no lower than 16°C). The region has beautiful subtropical scenery and a rugged coastline, which offers many different destinations for boat trips. Another trend, also being developed, is that of pleasure boating : Xiamen has included this in its Development Plan, and the marina offers all the necessary conveniences and services, with a good potential for development (not to saturation point). The construction of a number of homes built around marinas can be seen in the estate agents’ listings. Finally, marine activity is flourishing, with some organised regattas and many beginners’ sailing courses for students. The local marine industry has not missed out either, as there are already several brands present, with naval workshops and clubs such as Hey Sea, Sea Stella, Fulcrum Yachts, Marinetek, NAVI Marine, Tongda Rope & Cable, Sime Darby Machinery and Ninety Nine Yacht Services.

Its aim : to make CXIBS a benchmark international boat show in China and Asia
EuropExpo and Grand Pavois Organisation (GPO), organiser of the Grand Pavois International In-Water Boat Show at La Rochelle since 1973 (in France) are going to manage its commercial development, take control of the logistics and the operation of the show, and also its international communications strategy so as to enhance the international development of CXIBS (China Xiamen International Boat Show) from 2013 onwards. A new development of potential exhibitors afloat and ashore, the opportunity to try the boats at sea, exhibitors’ services, operations targeted towards prospective customers . . . EuropExpo and GPO are working with the big names in the leisure boating industry to promote, enhance and develop this Chinese meeting-place for an Asian population in search of a new leisure interest: boating.

For further information : China Xiamen International Boat Show website