1,656 exhibitors from 62 countries will introduce their yacht premieres and product innovations at boot Düsseldorf 2012, the world’s biggest yacht and water sport fair, in 17 exhibition halls.
After a considerable crash in sales, the German market for boats and water sports has grown for the second year in succession. From an international perspective the situation is not uniform. Recovery proceeds at a swifter pace in the countries of northern Europe than in parts of southern Europe. To this the yacht and water sports business offered its own response which reads: Let’s get to Düsseldorf and attend boot 2012! The number of participations is up by a good 5% against the previous year. The exhibition area rented out to exhibitors has stabilised very well at 2011 levels with a slight plus of approx. 800 square metres.
“To register even small increases cannot be taken for granted at present”, stresses Werner Matthias Dornscheidt, CEO and President of Messe Düsseldorf, and goes on to say: “In this very competitive market of trade fairs we are scoring against the tide. There are boat fairs throughout the year at almost any location, internationally, regionally and nationally. For the trade fair market of boats, yachts and water sports in general, the 2011 season was generally weak. Difficult times also clear the perspectives: boot Düsseldorf is and continues to be the sector’s first choice.”
945 German and 711 international exhibitors now expect the fair to succeed. German consumers continue their shopping spree without any interruption, and for many of them the present debates over Euro stability might certainly be an occasion to invest in joyful life and valuable purchases. Over and above, the sector may have hopes in the shopping spirit of about 50,000 high-level visitors from abroad, attracted to boot Düsseldorf every year.
As seen by Jürgen Tracht, Managing Director of the German Marine Industry Association (BVWW), though there is a general cooling to be observed of the climate of consumption on account of an increasing crisis mood at international financial markets, “consumers, on the other hand are increasingly favouring valuable acquisitions. This tendency does not only benefit the property market but also part of the market for boats. Present low yields on savings as well as fears of inflation appear to spread this trend even more”.
In the view of Jürgen Tracht completely-equipped boats and yachts in the lower and medium-priced bands are what people want now. Many manufacturers pick up on this by offering low-priced entry versions and equipment packages at reduced prices.
Boats and yachts represent the focus of attention at the trade fair. In 11 exhibition halls 440 exhibitors present a parade of boats without equal under roofs of exhibition premises, showing 1,700 types of all sizes and ranging from canoes to luxurious large yachts. In addition, halls 11 and 12 complement this large boat market by their offers of everything needed for boats and aboard, such as electronic devices, engines, accessories, functional clothing and marina equipment. 350 international exhibitors do not leave a single wish of customers unfulfilled.
The sailing yacht show has undergone a very positive development “under the roof” of boot, occupying halls 16 and 17 and now also sections of hall 15. The small but well-chosen special section of catamarans and trimarans has been successfully established there, after first gaining its independent platform last year.
Those interested in motor boats or motor yachts will find almost everything the market offers when coming to Düsseldorf, ranging from inflatables with an outboarder via open sports boats, day cruisers, and cabin cruisers to large yachts. Over 250 shipyards, traders and importers guarantee a representative survey of power boating sports in a total of six exhibition halls.
boot Düsseldorf made its name internationally with comfortable and luxurious large yachts presented under hall roofs. These shall remain our hallmark in 2012 as well. Visitors will be expected by some 40 large yachts, as well as boats and tenders, representing the upmarket section in Hall 6.
But it is also true that no general upswing is expected in the market for yachts over twenty metres yet. Before all, Italian shipyards, ruling this market, continue to be in troubled waters. But the sectors still remains faithful to boot. Important international exhibitors like Azimut, Fairline and Drettmann, represented with information stands or who could not come in 2011, are to return with yachts in 2012.
The Superyacht Show in Hall 7a continues to be fully booked with about 100 participants from abroad. Visitors will find blueprints and models of yacht projects and required services presentations at information stands. These include joint participations by companies such as Deutsche Yachten, Superyacht France and Holland Yachting Group.
boot Düsseldorf is open daily from 10.00 am to 6.00 pm from 21 to 29 January 2012.
