This year’s HISWA Amsterdam in-water Boat Show was marked by a resounding success, helping put a fresh wind in the sails of the watersports sector. The 30th edition of the event was held at the Amsterdam Marina in the NDSM wharf last week and was officially opened by King Willem-Alexander.
HISWA Amsterdam in-water Boat Show 2013 - Image credit to OTTI Fotografie
A survey among the exhibitors indicated more requests for tenders and sea trials than last year. A number of yachtbuilders and importers sold one or more yachts during the event. And while the HISWA Amsterdam in-water Boat Show attracted slightly fewer visitors than last year (24,241 compared to 25,907 in 2012), exhibitors reported more movement in the market.
Concrete sales
Many exhibitors were much more optimistic than six months ago. “We sold yachts and made many appointments for sea trials during the event. The HISWA Amsterdam in-water Boat Show was an excellent platform for our four premiers,” said Jerry Schuiten of Interboat. Boudewijn Wakker of Long Island also signed a sales contract on the last day of the boat show, and is very positive about his company’s participation. Newcomer Ad van Dam was pleasantly surprised by the serious interest in his yard’s latest design, the Damarin 732 XTender. Gideon Messink of Messink Yachting signed a sales agreement for a Dehler 38 on the second day of the event, marking an excellent start. “A great exhibition at a great location,” Messink concluded.
Dennis Hennevanger of Saffier Maritiem summarised his company’s participation as follows: “Daysailing is in, and aided by great weather and a positive vibe, we managed to sell four boats in one day. We have never seen anything like it.” Beneteau launched a new concept as part of its sailyacht range at the HISWA Amsterdam in-water Boat Show, the Oceanis 38. “I would be very surprised if we didn’t see any sales resulting from the event in the coming weeks,” said Arthur van der Werff of Nautisch Kwartier Stavoren.
Most suppliers on the quay also indicated good business results. “When people are not quite ready to buy a new yacht due to the economic circumstances, they often invest in new equipment and gadgets for their current yacht – and this benefits us,” Patrick Noor of DMS Holland explained. “With our Rotor Swing we had a Dutch premier although remarkably we attracted even more attention from non-Dutch visitors. We sold no less than seven systems, which made it a top event for us.” Jachthaven Lelystad-Haven can also look back on a successful show: “We were able to attract plenty of attention to our marina, and I expect a new surge of HISWA visitors in the future.”
Vincent de Heer of zeilscholen.nl and coordinator of the (kids’) activities on the water introduced hundreds of children and adults to watersports during the show. “It was extremely busy on the quay throughout the week. Children who had never been in a boat before had the time of their lives and we hope this will turn them into enthusiastic sailors in the future.”
Opening of HISWA Nautical Centre Amsterdam
King Willem-Alexander opened the 30th edition of the HISWA Amsterdam in-water Boat Show as well as the new HISWA Nautical Centre Amsterdam on 3 September. The latter accommodates the offices of the HISWA Association and HISWA Multimedia as well as the harbour office of Amsterdam Marina. The ground floor houses Restaurant Loetje. Over the coming years, the area around the marina will become home to an increasing number of nautical companies and apartments as the NDSM wharf is transformed into the nautical hotspot of Amsterdam.
During the official opening, Deputy Mayor Freek Ossel said he was “happy and proud to welcome the HISWA.” He added that the association’s arrival would eventually generate some 170 jobs, 85,000 euros of tourist tax and over seven million euros of annual spending in the local economy. “And this is only the direct yield,” Ossel continued. “At least as important is that the HISWA is helping to further revitalise this area of Amsterdam.”
HISWA Amsterdam in-water Boat Show 2014
The next edition of the HISWA Amsterdam in-water Boat Show will take place from Tuesday 2 to Sunday 7 September 2014 in the Amsterdam Marina at the NDSM wharf in Amsterdam.
Before that, watersports enthusiasts can head to Amsterdam RAI from Wednesday 5 to Sunday 9 March 2014 for the HISWA Amsterdam Boat Show 2014.
