Trade shows :Taiwan unveils its grand plans for 2014 International Boat Show

                                                      Kaohsiung Exhibition Centre -  Jeni Bone

Taiwan is aiming to position itself as 'a maritime power in yachting', with the pre-show press conference and launch of the Taiwan International Boat Show, scheduled for five days in April 2014 in yacht-building capital of Asia, Kaohsiung.

The event will be held in Kaohsiung, which is home to 19 of the 35 Taiwan yacht builders, at a venue that is currently under construction.

Calling itself 'the Kingdom of Yachts', Kaohsiung yacht building recorded an annual input of US$160m in 2011. Taiwan is ranked seventh in superyacht manufacturing by total length of vessels ordered and it boasts two of the world’s top 20 yacht builders, Horizon and Kha Shing.


The event organisers describe the boat show as 'a marketing effort to increase publicity for Taiwan’s yacht brands and their affiliate companies'. The show is organised by the Bureau of Foreign Trade and the Kaohsiung City Government, and will be implemented by the Taiwan External Trade Development Council (TAITRA) and supported by the Taiwan Yacht Industry Association (TYIA).

At the launch this morning, speakers covered the history of the Taiwan yacht building industry and its massive potential, which linked with China, would overtake current leaders Italy, the Netherlands and US in terms of volume and value.

The April 2014 event aims to provide the 'ideal one-stop sourcing shop'. 'It’s the perfect hub where visitors check out a projected 250 exhibitors over 1000 booths, with undercover and on water exhibitor spaces. The displays are anticipated to cover about 9,000m² in total and hopes are, they will come from all over the world. 

There will be five facets to the show: yachts and boats; equipment and accessories including engines; repair, service and maintenance; forums and seminars for industry; and a consumer aspect with watersports and marine tourism the focus.

'Kaohsiung is the home of yachts,' said boat show manager, Ms Alanka Yang, unveiling the new boat show’s logo, ethos and objectives. 'So it is logical that Kaohsiung will be the home of Taiwan’s yacht show. With this event, we are sailing to a better future.'

by Jeni Bone ( marinebusiness-world.com)