The total number of marina berths in Saudi Arabia is expected to increase by 50 per cent by 2012 as the Kingdom continues its rapid growth in the leisure marine industry. According to a recent study by Mike Derrett Marine, a leading independent marine industry consultancy, an average of around 10 units a week will be added over the next two years to accommodate the nation’s growing leisure fleet and attract overseas boating tourists.
The increase in additional berths will help to moor an extra 1,000 boats by 2012, an increase of 10%, driven by planned seaports and marinas, making the Kingdom’s marine sector a significant investment opportunity for domestic and foreign markets. Saudi Arabia currently has 10,000 boats measuring 5 metres or more in length, and is second only to Kuwait in terms of boat population in the GCC.
The Saudi International Boat Show 2010
The Saudi International Boat Show 2010, the second edition of the Kingdom’s only international leisure marine and tourism festival, will help to drive that investment in Saudi Arabia’s boating market, estimated at SAR 500 million by Alkhorayef Commercial Marine Division, one of the top Saudi companies participating in the event.
Abdulla Qassem, Senior Vice President, Dubai World Trade Centre., organiser of the event, said, ”The increased investment in the GCC leisure marine market provides excellent domestic and international opportunities, and the Saudi International Boat Show is ideally placed to help drive the industry within the Kingdom.
“The calibre of exhibitors and the products and services that are being showcased indicate an extremely healthy market and a very bright future for marine businesses across Saudi Arabia. The superb marina developments, the rapid rise in the number of boat owners and the increasing attraction of Saudi Arabia as a marine leisure destination are attracting some of the most respected and established companies to the Saudi International Boat Show. Many of them are exhibiting in the Saudi market for the first time, investing an industry which has the potential to be a significant economic factor within the Kingdom.”
