Super Yachts are a key component in wider tourism strategy.
Speaking ahead of the second Abu Dhabi Yacht Show (ADYS) set to take place next month Sheikh Sultan Bin Tahnoon Al Nahyan, chairman, Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority (ADTA) has told Trade Arabia that Abu Dhabi is determined to grow its marine and yachting industries as a key component of a wider tourism strategy.
The trade association has provided full support becoming headline sponsors for the show which is to focus on superyachts, in a bid to boost Abu Dhabi’s aspirations to become the hub of the Middle East’s yachting and marine leisure business.
Abu Dhabi’s 2030 strategic plan includes a massive marina component, including approximately 45 new marinas of various sizes, because it is believed that in the future there could be as many as 10,000 yachts of differing sizes in the emirate.
Currently there are about 1,600 berths available in six existing marinas in Abu Dhabi. Marine leisure is expected to play an increasingly important role in advancing the country’s tourism growth which benefits from over 400 km of coastline, over 200 islands and a rich marine life.
New marina facilities at Yas Island were unveiled during the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix generating international interest leading to it being chosen to host this years superyacht show.
Show organizers Informa Yacht Group (IYG), said the inaugural show held in March 2009 received an enthusiastic response. “By general consensus, we provided brand new, first-class business opportunities in a vastly wealthy and largely unexploited market. Some exceptional sales were made, at a time when business in the rest of the world was largely depressed, and that gave a massive uplift to the region’s industry,” said Franck Dailles, group director of IYG.
