Qatar International Boat Show

Qatar International Boat Show VP Faysal Mikati, on the popular seafaring event

After the success of the boat show at Lusail Marina, Time Out asked vice-president of the Qatar International Boat Show, Faysal Mikati, why it proves so successful and is so well attended.

Qatar International Boat Show is the Middle East’s premier yachting lifestyle event. After the success of the first edition, the second edition of the Qatar International Boat Show (QIBS) was held under the auspices of H.E. Prime Minister and Interior Minister of Qatar, Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa Al-Thani at Mourjan Marinas in Lusail City. The Qatar International Boat Show provides the premier platform to preview new products, evaluate market trends and establish long-lasting and commercially profitable partnerships.

And can the public come and have a look?
Absolutely! This year QIBS was from 11-15 Nov. We had the media day and VIP opening on the 11th and the show was open to the public from 12-15 November. We had a total of 75 boats over 25,000 square metres of surface area. The weekends are especially popular days for families to come and experience the luxurious vibe of the beautiful boats.

Why do you think the turnout of people coming to look is so good?
By their very nature, boats and yachts appeal to people of all ages. We work very hard to ensure we deliver to a high international standard. And while we bring the best of the international brands, we also have locally manufactured yachts and dhows, which provide a range of options for buyers.

Was the first boat show a success? What was its aim?
The first edition took place in November 2013 and exceeded everyone’s wildest expectations; the international boating community came out in force to experience ‘Brand Qatar.’ Our aim was to showcase Qatar’s rapidly developing appetite as well as its readiness to compete with international manufacturers. We succeeded in attracting top names in the maritime industry from around the world, and the overall numbers of international exhibitors were similar to many well-established European boat shows.

Which kinds of boat companies were on show?
So many! World acclaimed brands such as Azimut, Sea Ray, Princess, Ferreti, Riva, Gulf Craft, Sunseeker, and more. Other exhibitors of note included Blohm+Voss, Y.CO, Palmer Johnson and Lurssen. Nakilat Damen Shipyard also had a presence. NDSQ is the only super yacht builder in Qatar.

What was the price range of the boats on show?
We have a wide range of boats starting from USD 30,000 (QR110,000) going up to USD 10 million (QR36 million). But, as I say, anyone is welcome to come and visit the boats and have a good time; we want people to enjoy the experience.

How will next year’s show be even better?
We are already working hard to top this year’s success. We will continue getting the top names from the yachting industry. Our plan is to attract luxury brands from around the world to make this a truly inspirational lifestyle event.

Where and when does the boat show take place in 2015?
QIBS 2015 will be in Lusail Marina from the 10-14 November.
Source: Time Out Doha