With the second Abu Dhabi Yacht Show (ADYS) just a few weeks away it has emerged that a number of exhibitors will be striving to win new business from Saudi Arabia. According to Franck Dallies, group director of the organisers Informa Yacht Group (IYG), "Saudi Arabian yacht buyers and charter's rank high on the prospect list of many of the show's international and regional exhibitors."

Dallies told Al Bawaba news that, "At the same time, the show presents Saudi Arabian yacht lovers with the chance to see the latest the industry has to offer without having to travel half way around the world to do so. The domestic Saudi market is growing in appeal to the region's marine industry as a whole. With numerous waterside developments in the pipeline, regional demand for marina-front properties is expected to grow dramatically in the coming years. The hugely untapped leisure marine market is another aspect that is expected to receive a fillip from this development activity. With a sizeable coastline, the opportunities within Saudi Arabia to develop domestic marine destinations is immense." The first Saudi Arabian boat show was held earlier this year.

IYG are anticipating more exhibits and visitors to the show this year at around 130 and 8,000 to 10,000 respectively and it already has more superyachts participating. It was confirmed a few days ago that the 103.9m (340ft) former Omani Royal Yacht Loaloat Al Berhar will be the largest yacht at the show. This yacht is now understood to be in private ownership and is available for charter. So far 26 yachts have been confirmed and a number of others are still awaited to confirm. The other key aspect of the 2010 event is its move to the Yas Marina.


Superyacht Business / David Robinson, 3 February 2010