The 2016 Dubai International Boat Show will expand into a lifestyle event which is set to delight its fans, according to its organisers Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC).

Now in its 24^th edition, the show will be held from March 1 to 5, 2016 at the Dubai International Marine Club - Mina Seyahi in Dubai, UAE. 

The show will feature a dedicated superyacht area with some of world’s biggest and best yacht-builders in attendance. These include Oceanco, Lurssen, Heesen Yachts, Benetti, Amels, Mondomarine, Feadship, Fincantieri, Baglietto, and Blohm+Voss, all members of the Superyacht Builders Association (SYBAss). 

However this time round, the show will not just feature the most spectacular superyachts but also include a host of “active offerings”. 

These include sailing and fishing trips, water sport stunts, taster sessions of stand-up paddle boarding and windsurfing, as well as first-time-ever beach access and on-yacht dining experiences.

In line with Dubai’s reputation as a destination for world-class events and entertainment, the show’s new activity-based offerings will move the region’s leading event for the marine leisure industry to an all-new level.

“Great events become truly exceptional when they become experiential in nature. Dubai, as an emirate, has long spearheaded this trend and has developed an international reputation for being a must-visit global lifestyle destination, and the Dubai International Boat Show aims to embody this reputation as we continue to expand on our world-class features,” says Trixie LohMirmand, Senior Vice President, DWTC.

“In our almost two-and-a-half decades of history, the show has clearly witnessed a shift in the way visitors want to participate and how exhibitors want to showcase their products. Increasingly, marine enthusiasts who attend our show are looking for an on-water experience which encourages more buyers of boats, marine accessories and water sports equipment  – which further boosts the regional industry,” LohMirmand adds. 

More than 30,000 visitors from 120 countries are expected to attend over the five days of the show, and scheduled to view more than 430 boats on land and water, as well as products from over 800 exhibitors and brands from 51 countries. 

“More and more, the region’s residents are becoming maritime leisure enthusiasts. They seek more than just yachts and boats, but a ‘360 degree’ experience encompassing all aspects of a luxury lifestyle. The full scale marine sector offering targeting those that want to bring their own lifestyle to the water is an area that the industry must tap into, and this is where the Dubai International Boat Show shines. There is no better way to reach this unique market segment than by being at the best lifestyle event on the maritime calendar,” said Gregor Stinner, CEO of Art Marine.

NEW FEATURES

New to this edition are a host of interactive and free activities including daily daredevil jetpack, flyboard and fly bike stunts in association with yacht and watersports provider Day & Night Dubai. Also new this year is a thrice-daily Hands on Boating Experience in conjunction with Marine Concept Sea School and Yacht Charter where participants can learn the basics of owning and driving a boat, while a unique Fishing Trip Experience – also taking place three times a day – will give participants a chance to learn quick fishing and trolling activities in partnership with Boat Pilot UAE.

For the first time, organisers have opened up the beach for visitors to take part in even more activities. In association with watersports centre Watercooled UAE, catamaran taster sessions, stand-up paddle boarding sessions, windsurfing manoeuvres and kayaking adventures are all on offer on the water, giving enthusiasts and newcomers a taste of the marine leisure lifestyle. Kite surfing kit displays and technique discussions will also be available for viewing.

“We know how keen both residents and international visitors alike are to get out on the water here because it’s what we do every single day. Bringing this experiential element to the show will definitely attract more crowds and bring a new energy to the show. This is a fantastic showcase for the range of activities available here, really highlighting the growing leisure marine community. This is a reflection of how much is on offer here, not just in terms of activities but also certified training and development,” says Barry Conlon, General Manager, Watercooled UAE.

Show sectors for this year include Marina Display, Outdoor Display, Luxury and Lifestyle (LSS), Equipment Services and Supplies (ESS), and Diving. 

Returning again this year is the Superyacht Life area, bringing together the world’s leading superyacht builders under the banner of the SYBAss, as well as show favourites Supercar Promenade, Dive Middle East Exhibition (DMEX) and the Retail Village, rounding out an even more expanded show line-up – including the arrival of Sahtein, a gourmet food event from Dubai Food Carnival.

Following their successful launch in 2015, returning this year are the DIBS Sailing, DIBS Fishing, and DIBS Water Sports sectors. These sectors have been further developed as enthusiasts continue to enter, and grow within, the marine lifestyle at all entry points. 

Education plays a key focus at the show with a collection of talks, conferences and seminars catering to a community hungry for knowledge. Supported by Outdoor UAE, the Marine Talks features experts in the field of fishing, diving, sailing and watersports in interactive sessions. 

The Middle East Yachting Conference will again bring together global experts and industry authorities, as well as boating enthusiasts, to address the latest trends, technologies, plans and regulations affecting the marine leisure sector in Dubai and beyond.

The 24^th Dubai International Boat Show will be open to trade visitors and the public from 3 pm to 9.30 pm daily. A single entry ticket cost of Dh60 ($16).