Last week saw the prestigious Hainan Rendez-Vous continue to support the growth of China’s nascent markets for yachts as well as business jets as the 2013 edition of the event achieved significant on-site transactions, comprising the sales of twenty-nine yachts and three business jets.
With over 13,000 VIP guests from all around China among the 23,000+ people who attended, the show also gave another lift to the local Sanya economy, while further elevating the city’s image as an emerging hub for the international yachting community.
“The economic impact of the sale of a yacht or business jet goes far beyond the manufacture of the craft,” said show founder Delphine Lignieres. “Large ships and planes require crews of trained people to maintain and operate, as well as the construction of essential infrastructure. The sale of yachts and jets at Hainan Rendez-Vous is helping to drive the development of all these associated industries in China, which creates many jobs. As a yachting hub, Sanya definitely benefits.”
Feadship superyacht Blue Sky on display at Hainan Rendez-Vous 2013
Hainan Rendez-Vous this year reached a new level of prestige in terms of quality of exhibitors and partners. A ten-person delegation from the Monaco Yacht Club arrived to promote the Principality as the world’s capital of yachting. The French government again sent a strong delegation representing some of the country’s most exclusive lifestyle brands, housing them in a special pavilion with an 8-metre replica of the Eiffel tower located right in the centre.
The return of all the world’s leading makers of business jets was a further signal of the show’s solid international reputation. Aviation brands exhibited their aircraft at Sanya Phoenix International Airport, where a new VIP terminal enhanced the show experience for guests.
Top shipyards from Europe and America likewise returned with an amazing fleet of 130 vessels, including seven boats between 30 and 50 meters long. The more than two hundred companies housed in exhibition booths at the main show fairgrounds included leading superyacht and megayacht builders like Luerssen, Oceanco, Blohm+Voss, Royal Huisman, Feadship and Abeking & Rasmussen.
Sunseeker 70 Yacht FENG at Hainan Rendez-Vous 2013
Also fabulous at Hainan Rendez-Vous 2013 was the lineup of supercar brands, which included McLaren exhibiting its new model, the McLaren P1, for its launch in Asia. The elite brand celebrated the occasion with a glamorous gala dinner for over 200 highly targeted guests, followed by an after party aboard the largest yacht at the show, the Sapphire.
McLaren’s supercars were joined at the exhibition by the stylish vehicles of Aston Martin, Ferrari, Bentley, Rolls Royce and Lamborghini, forming a collection that truly showcased the genius of automobile design at its very best.
Trinity luxury motor yacht Sapphire at Hainan Rendez-Vous 2013
As in past Rendev-Vous editions, a rich program of cultural and networking events ran in tandem with the yacht, jet and lifestyle shows. Events included a fascinating art exhibition led by Art Labor Gallery that was titled “Jardin d’ Art” (Garden of Art), with contemporary works exploring the theme of the garden. Newly added events this year included the inaugural Ballantine’s Sanya Golf Team Trophy, a golf tournament for 36 teams of 4 players each, and a special lunch for CEOs from the boat and jet industries that was sponsored by Pernod Ricard.
Chopard, the renowned Swiss watch and jewellery maker whose pieces regularly beautify celebrities at the Cannes Film Festival and similar events in the west, demonstrated its love for China by exhibiting an exceedingly rare 31.32-carat chameleon diamond ring at the show. Chopard brought Hainan Rendez-Vous 2013 to a close on an elegant note, hosting a gala dinner with performances by renowned Hong Kong actress and singer/songwriter Karen Mok, along with a show of stunning models wearing the iconic brand’s sparkling gems and timepieces.
