Dubai Harbour will host the Dubai International Boat Show for a third successive year as the Middle East’s biggest yacht show returns for its 30th edition from February 28-March 3, 2024.

The 2023 edition in early March attracted more than 28,000 visitors, 1,000 brands and companies, and featured over 200 boats including 44 global and regional debuts according to the show’s long-term organiser, Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC).

UAE builder Gulf Craft is traditionally the leading exhibitor at the show and last year debuted several models including the Majesty 111 among its 15 boats in the water. Other brands on show with local dealers included Riva, Pershing and Ferretti Yachts of Ferretti Group, Azimut, Sanlorenzo, Princess, Sunseeker, Sunreef, Riviera, Lagoon, Beneteau, Jeanneau, De Antonio and Say Carbon Yachts.

The 68m Soaring built by German shipyard Abeking & Rasmussen was the show’s largest yacht and was exhibited by Ocean Independence, which also displayed the 37m Tecnomar Evo 120 Viktoriia with The Italian Sea Group. Other superyachts included the 47m Heesen Anita shown by Behnemar and the 32m Baglietto Lady Maia exhibited by BlackOrange.

The Middle East’s boating market has risen post-Covid, with many major builders reporting increased sales and appointing new dealers. Over the past year, Camper & Nicholsons and IYC are among superyacht brokerage houses to open a regional office in the UAE, while Sunreef Yachts has opened both an office in Dubai and a new production facility in Ras Al Khaimah.

The maritime sector accounts for seven per cent of Dubai’s GDP, while the MENA region has the second-highest fleet to billionaire ratio, DWTC states. In addition, the Middle East has experienced a 16.9 per cent surge in ultra-wealthy individuals and the UAE is the top destination for high-net-worth individuals (HNWIs).

www.boatshowdubai.com