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Mumbai Boat Show
Mumbai International Boat Show doubles in size and success.
Please find a press release from the 2008 show. For more information on the show please contact the International Team at the BMF on 01784 473377 or visit www.mumbaiboatshow.com
The second Mumbai International Boat Show proved to be bigger and better than before. With visitor numbers approaching 10,000, the Show hosted almost double the number of exhibitors and boats on display, including 20 on-water vessels.
The Show enjoyed an abundance of press attention, with particularly heavy coverage displayed in the BBC Today Magazine and online article, ‘Times of India’ and local CNBC TV channel. A VIP preview evening entertaining Bollywood Stars and a Vice Admiral enticed plenty of TV crews and sizable entourages.
British Marine Federation, and its subsidiary National Boat Shows, has had a large involvement in this event, as well as first helping to develop the Show and the Indian Marine Federation. NBS, a strategic partner of the Show, provided both operational and marketing support, while the BMF took a stand at the event promoting British Marine excellence and also organised the India Boating Conference.
Joining the BMF in Mumbai were UK companies ranging from boat builders Avon Inflatable Ltd, Princess Yachts International, Fairline Boats Ltd and Sunseeker International Ltd, brokers Oceanstyle Yachting Ltd, Cavandish White Ltd and International Yacht Sales plus Marine Track Ltd.
Sarah Dhanda, Director of International for the BMF, said on the UK influence: “The Show, which is highlighting the leisure marine industry to the growing middle class in Mumbai and India, has provided a good opportunity for UK companies to establish partnerships and relationships with Indian companies.
So far, the BMF has helped to introduce 20 companies to this rapidly developing leisure marine market and we are confident that they are laying good foundations for future growth.”
Richard Lambert of Oceanstyle, a Nigel Burgess Group company said: “An incredibly useful event allowing us to get a true insight into the up and coming yachting market in India. The show exceeded our expectations and was an excellent launch for yachting in the Indian market. A very positive experience that was enhanced by the excellent support from the BMF and UKTI.”
Marine Track also reported positively, returning for the second year:
“We had a very good show in 2007 and came away with some good contacts and a lot of potential for growth. Returning in 2008 we have found a better educated and more mature market. The show has been a success; we have taken orders, signed a local reseller and made some contacts and friends along the way. We are confident that bigger things are to come from India.”
India is seen as a key developing market for Leisure Marine, with an ever increasing number of billionaires as well as a burgeoning middle class. There is also a growing interest in tourism in some of the southern Indian states such as Goa and Kerala who are keen to make the most of the fantastic coastlines for sailing and water sports activities.
David Goddard of Cavendish White confirmed the overwhelming need for the development of boating infrastructure in Mumbai: “Good effort by the show organisation and we look forward to even better next year. We are pleased with the demand for the 10 to 20 metre yachts in the market. Cavendish White is in the large yacht market and so will need patience while India builds its infrastructure for large yachts.”
The BMF looks forward to further partnerships in India and developing opportunities for British companies to prosper.