Amazing Results Of The Boot Düsseldorf 2008

Enthusiasm for yachting and watersports seems to know no limits. Hailing from 65 countries, the 279,000 visitors who attended boot 2008 in Düsseldorf, which closed on Sunday 27 January, ensured satisfied exhibitors and brisk business in broad sections of the portfolio of offerings.

In 2007, a total of 273,000 visitors attended. For nine days, 1,699 exhibitors from 57 countries spread across 220,000 square metres of floor space in 17 exhibition halls showcased boat premieres, new watersports gear as well as equipment and accessories at the world’s No. 1 yachting and watersports fair.

“boot 2008 delivered fully on our expectations,” commented Werner M. Dornscheidt, President and CEO of Messe Düsseldorf. “The visitors at the stands from all over the world were not only well heeled but also well informed. There’s no mistaking that the international industry covering all aspects of boats, yachts and watersports is at home in Düsseldorf.”

This was also confirmed by Jürgen Tracht, managing director of the Bundesverband Wassersportwirtschaft (Federal Association of the Watersports Industry – BVWW), “Non-German visitors to boot with high purchasing power have reached such numbers that they contribute substantially to sales and are counted on by the exhibiting industry. This is especially true of suppliers of boats, yachts and technical equipment.”

Over 50,000 boot visitors arrived from abroad this year. Plus, there were numerous delegations at the fair hoping to find cooperation partners for watersports projects. A definite boost came from North America, the South East Asian countries, Eastern Europe and the Middle East.

Overall, 40,000 visitors attended boot 2008 on business. A good one in three German visitors travelled from the south, north and east of the country.

According to Jürgen Tracht, the German market is “characterised by a positive consumption climate as well as quality- and price-conscious customers who thoroughly research and compare offers before placing orders. At the stands, intensive, high-calibre discussions were conducted and lots of quotes requested. This augurs well for strong post-fair business.”

As in the past, boats and yachts were the product categories that attracted the most visitor interest. A good two thirds of those attending planned on having a look around these sections. Next on the list of priorities were boat equipment, motors and technical accessories (57 percent), water tourism offerings, boat and yacht charters as well as diving.

The market for sailing boats and yachts managed to maintain the previous year’s dynamism. Manufacturers and dealers spoke of business holding steady at the excellent 2007 level.

In the motorboats section, mid-sized vessels are experiencing a revival with buyers who set great store by high-quality equipment. The strong euro made boats priced in dollars particularly attractive this year. Plus, the market for small boats transportable by trailer also picked up slightly.

Motorised yachts in the upper to luxury bracket continue to find high-calibre buyers from around the world gathered in Düsseldorf.

In equipment and accessories, the trend towards more convenience and safety reasserted itself. Demand in this segment rose significantly above 2007 levels.

The consensus among charter companies is also that business was good at the fair. Houseboat holidays on Europe’s inland waterways where no licence is required are a particularly popular client choice. Bookings for these have grown once again. Sailors are keen on the Baltic and Mediterranean above all.

An evergreen hit is Diving Show boot Düsseldorf in Hall 3. Some 25 percent of boot visitors made their way to the world’s No. 1 trade fair for diving and diving tourism staged under the boot umbrella. In 2007, it was a good 20 percent of visitors. Manufacturers of diving equipment were especially pleased with the results of the fair’s run.

The theme parks were once again extremely well received by boot visitors. This was the case particularly with the Sailing and Olympic Center, the Diving Center and Classic Show, which will no doubt be allocated even more space in 2009. Beach World has established itself fully as a hip meeting place for young watersports enthusiasts. The presentation by the city of Qingdao showcasing it as the venue for the 2008 Olympic sailing competitions made a big impression.

The experts represented at boot 2008 hosted well over 100 conferences, seminars and meetings to get customers and the public up to speed on the latest industry developments.

Once again in 2008, boot in Düsseldorf catered to virtually every visitor’s desires. Initial surveys reveal that the expectations of the vast majority were met.

The 40th edition of boot Düsseldorf will open its doors from 17 to 25 January 2009.

Source: boot Düsseldorf