Following the news about the State of Qatar to host the 2022 World Cup, the world started to focus its attention on this beautiful Middle Eastern yacht charter location, which is fast becoming an increasingly popular business and vacation destination in its own right.

Qatar has one of the highest per capita incomes in the world; and with the ever-growing demand for leisure boats from both locals and the country’s expanding expatriate community, it is not surprising that the pressure for marina berthing is growing exponentially. Qatar is already one of the preferred locations in the entire Gulf area for enjoying the seafront lifestyle.

Qatar is also becoming a key maritime player in the region, with over 1,600 berths, new waterfront developments, and marine industry sales of motor yachts and boats increasing over 300% during the last five years. In fact, the country’s maritime market is currently showing year on year growth of between 10 and 15 per cent, and Qataris make up one of the largest contingents of buyers of maritime products across the Middle East.

At the same time, water sports and activities such as fishing, diving, kite-surfing, wind-surfing, paddling, and jet-skiing are all experiencing similar growth; and industry experts are forecasting continued strong growth for the region, which has one of the largest numbers of marina developments in the world. In fact, recent research indicates that Qatari residents are amongst the highest buyers of yachts, accounting for almost a fifth of the global super yacht market.

To cater for this explosion in demand for all things maritime, Qatar is launching its first-ever Qatar International Boat Show (QIBS) in November 2013. It promises to provide an industry networking platform, generating solid opportunities for the promotion of new boats and services, supporting the growth of the marine ecosystem in Qatar and creating a luxury market for affluent Middle Eastern and Asian buyers.

This isn’t just any boat show. It’s going to be an International event, aimed fairly and squarely at laying the foundations for the rebirth of a maritime industry in the country, along the lines of Qatar Vision 2030 which is diversifying the country’s industries away from just oil and gas. Everyone expects high sales to be achieved.

Greater numbers of high performance and luxury watercraft are being introduced by Qatari boat dealers and distributors to cater for the demand and the show will generate numerous leads and plenty of room for exploration for anyone considering buying a boat. Some QR100m-worth of yachts have already had berth space allocated; and this number could well double before the doors open on November 12th.

Lusail Marina, just a ten minute drive from the centre of Doha itself, has been chosen as the ideal location for launching this show since, like the event itself, it is brand new and its quality is second to none. Lusail City ticks all the boxes as far as capacity, quality and ‘wow’ factor are concerned!

Planning and bringing an international show, such as QIBS, to fruition takes a great deal of lobbying and organising. The industry is very demanding and highly sophisticated and it is no surprise that this show has been over three years in the making. But QIBS will not be a ‘flash-in-the-pan’. It is firmly earmarked to become an annual event, whose aim is to re-establish a maritime industry in Qatar and attract international companies to the country, thereby creating a buzz for boat lovers, while at the same time creating business opportunities for local companies.

To date there has been strong interest generated in sponsorship opportunities for QIBS, with Lusail City, Mourjan Marinas, Katara Hospitality, Ritz Carlton Hotel, Qatar Airways, AIG Insurance, Almannai Marine, BCC logistics, HMC among others – all signed up as major sponsors. But talks are still ongoing with numerous other companies and government entities that have expressed interest in becoming sponsors; and the QIBS main sponsor will be announced in the very near future.

QIBS will host events both on land and in the water, with around 100 international and local exhibitors attending; 150 boats on display – ranging in size from 15 all the way up to 30 metres in length; at least five global and regional launches; and an estimated 15,000 visitors.

The opening hours will be from 3.00pm to 9.30pm for both trade professionals and the general public. In addition to the boats on display, dedicated areas will be available, offering information and advice regarding boat servicing, insurance, accessories, water sports, navigation equipment, engines, fixtures and fittings, as well as fishing products.