Despite the announcement on October 14th that the Hong Kong Yacht Show (HKYS) is postponed until October 2021, as reported by IBI two weeks ago, it transpires that the show will still proceed in a different format under the management of local Hong Kong partner, the Hong Kong Cruise and Yacht Industry Association (HKCYIA).

Originally the show was launched under the joint management of Singapore-based exhibition organiser Verventia Pte Ltd and the HKCYIA. A statement issued by Verventia on the 14th of October and carried by IBI announced the postponement until October 2021.

HKCYIA spoke with IBI’s Asia correspondent today and received in a statement: “The HKYS is organised by the Hong Kong Cruise & Yacht Industry Association and will still go on from the 19th to the 22nd of November this year. It will be the third edition of the show.”

Regarding management of the event, HKCYIA said: “Verventia is no longer involved in the show. There will be a change in the show format, it will not be a trade show but a private event where we will invite many private owners to display their boats and yachts in order to promote the boating pastime in Hong Kong. We have to carry on with the event because we have spent six months obtaining the necessary permits from the government and we need to run the event in order to carry on in future years.”

As previously reported by IBI, the boating market in Hong Kong has been very buoyant in recent months since the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) announced the social gathering ban, people have turned to boating and staying on their boats spending time with friends and family and sometimes with business activities too. Summer is a peak time for boating so this has made boating more popular.

IBI understands that there is a great deal of discussion within the Hong Kong industry, with some dealers and trade members withdrawing their support for the new show.

IBI is attempting to contact Andy Treadwell, owner of Verventia, for comment.

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