Taiwan Yacht Industry Assoc 'realistic' about local boat show

by Jeni Bone on 9 Jul 2012 John Lu, founder and CEO of Horizon Group says the Taiwan International Boat Show will need to rely on its Asian neighbours, Japan and China, to grow and prosper for the first few years.

The aspiring boat show aims to attract 250 exhibitors in the first year, which will rely on Taiwan External Trade Development Council (TAITRA) and its 58 offices to drive exhibitor interest in the inaugural event.

'They have greater resources to do this,' says Lu. 'They have a good system that they use to research exhibitors and other aspects of the boat show.'

As to whether the show will gain traction in the region with exhibitors and visitors, Lu is realistic that it will take time.

'But it's never too late to start,' says Lu, who is president of the Taiwan Yacht Industry Association (TYIA). 'For the first two or three years, there won't be too many visitors, but we are hoping to attract as many as possible and gradually we can build up visitation.'

Key to involving locals and visiting consumers is the watersports aspect of the show. And while there are few entry level boats built in Taiwan and not much activity on the water in terms of leisure craft, Lu says the aim of the event and his focus is to encourage the waterways authorities to 'open up the waterways as much as possible' and the government to develop the infrastructure required.

The government has high hopes for the yachting industry and its potential contribution to the economy. The Taiwan Ministry of Transportation and Communications has a draft bill that aims to encourage the yacht industry to generate approximately NT$630 million (AUD $20.6 million) in annual output to create an additional 1,290 jobs.

As for converting consumer interest to participation, Lu says the key is to get the yachting industry to 'share its passion for yachting with the rest of the community' and encourage locals to understand the pleasure in the boating lifestyle.

'It's something they've never had before, but that doesn't mean we can't do it. We have to encourage people to try it, do it and see how they feel. At our 25th anniversary event, we invited all kinds of guests and they got excited. It's something they've never had access to before.'

As time progresses, Lu believes the industry, under the guidance of TYIA would consider an advertising campaign to promote the benefits of the yachting lifestyle.

'Taiwan focuses on the bigger end of the yachting market, so there's not too many small boats, but it's an open market and a country very nearby, Japan produces a lot of smaller boats, tenders and jet skis. We should be able to invite a lot of Japanese exhibitors to the Taiwan International Boat Show. In fact, I already have a lot of contacts in this area.'

Celebrating 25 years this year, Horizon is also planning to extend its local presence, taking additional factory space in the green fields site of the Southern Stars Project.

Crucial to the marketing of the Horizon Group are the major boat shows in the region, China (Shanghai), Hainan, Sydney, Sanctuary Cove and others as they are deemed strategic.