Boating in Beirut
by Jeni Bone on 2 May 2008
La Marina Joseph Khoury, north of Beirut, is the venue for the on-water show. Jeni Bone
Boating is back in Beirut, following a long period of unrest in the region, led by massive investment in infrastructure.
You may have missed your opportunity to exhibit or attend the Boat Show this year in Lebanon’s capital, Beirut (May 14-18), but you will surely be hearing more about it in the future. The 6th International Boat and Superyacht Show will be held at the Beirut International Exhibition Center, 25,000m² of air-conditioned space and La Marina Joseph Khoury, located in Dbayeh, north of Beirut.
The 110,000m² marina precinct is ideally suited for a boat show, combining on-land and on-water exhibition, and offering moorings for 700 boats and Super Yachts up to 85m in length.
According to organisers: 'since its debut in 2000, Beirut Boat has attracted over 60,000 visitors, 550 local and international companies from 22 different countries with official pavilions, and has showcased more than 300 yachts and super yachts in water and on land.'
The show has established itself as an international and professional boat show that meets all the requirements of becoming a member at the IFBSO (International Federation of Boat Show Organisers).
Lebanon has returned as a popular tourist destination with international arrivals growing by more than 40% annually, lured by the appeal of its culture, incredible coastline and access to surrounding Arab countries.
The Middle East’s luxury pleasure boat sector continues to expand dramatically, now accounting for almost a fifth of global superyacht sales. Surging luxury boat sales have in turn generated massive demand for mooring facilities.
Across the Middle East and Gulf, from Lebanon to Kuwait and Dubai, Egypt to Bahrain to Qatar and Saudi Arabia, marinas are being constructed and planned, or have already been completed.
The infectious regional passion for boating and water sports, fueling marina construction, shows no sign of slowing. Soaring regional demand for boats over the last few years has spurred massive investment in waterfront development.
Over the next five years, US$20 billion will be invested in the sector. A massive US$1 billion has already been spent on marinas and seafront developments in Lebanon alone.
More at www.ifpexpo.com
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