To be held at the acclaimed Dubai International Marine Club at the Mina Seyahi from March 11 - 15, it is sure to attract the biggest boats and the biggest buyers, thanks to Dubai's opulence and willingness to shell out huge sums of money on lifestyle and luxury.
DIBS 2008
With less than two months until opening day, the 16th Edition of the Dubai International Boat Show (DIBS) has registered an overall 20 percent growth, making it the largest edition in its history and one of the most internationally-significant marine leisure industry events of the year.
Running for over 5 days, DIBS has firmly established its position as the number one event in the region. In recent years, it has grown into one of the most important marine leisure events in the world, propelled by the major growth of the Middle East market across all sectors.
THE VENUE - MINA SEYAHI
'Mina Seyahi', (which means "pleasure harbour") has, over the years, witnessed an unprecedented number of local and international watersports events that has rightfully earned it the title of 'The home of Watersports in Dubai'. From its humble beginnings as a small harbour, Mina Seyahi has grown to accommodate a fully fledged leisure hub featuring a 268 berth Marina, a Yacht Club, The Le Meridien Mina Seyahi Beach Resort & Marina and soon the doors open to the latest edition, the spectacular The Westin – Dubai, Mina Seyahi Beach Resort & Marina.
The recent re-branding of the Mina Seyahi Dubai and the introduction of The Westin hotel, mark a new era in this remarkable piece of real estate which is destined to further define the future of watersports in Dubai. The Mina Seyahi Dubai is a division of DIMC (Dubai International Marine Club), the official authority for watersports in the UAE.
FACTS & FIGURES
With the obvious presence of all the biggest brands in the yacht-world like Ferretti, Bayliner, Azimut to a extensive line-up of local companies like Al Boom Marine, Target Marine and the world famous Victory power-boat team...from yachts to boats and radars to anchors...all possible parameters of the yachting and marine world are extensively covered.
Exhibitors pay anything in the region of $6000 for a Marina display to $250 for a small and simple service area.
Visitors to last year's event flocked in numbers between 20-25000 and this year they have to pay a nominal entry fee of AED 40 (free for children under 12-years of age).
A fact that sets aside DIBS from all the other boat shows of international repute is the large local participation and enthusiasm - somewhere in the region of 50% when it comes to exhibitors itself.
Organised year-on-year by the Dubai World Trade Center (DWTC), the Dubai Boat Show is the largest boat show in the middle east.
So make sure that you book your plane tickets in advance and only Do Buy when in Dubai...
