The 24th edition of Dubai International Boat Show concluded successfully on Saturday that witnessed 39 global and regional boat launches.The region's leading leisure marine exhibition and conference featured 450 boats on display according to organisers Dubai World Trade Centre or DWTC. More than 800 companies and brands from 55 countries exhibited at this year's event.

Exhibitors at the show reported strong on-going sales many companies pointing to a high proportion of serious buyers attending the show leading to contracts signed either during the show or expected in the coming weeks.

UK-based manufacturer Princess Yachts named this year as its most successful appearance at the Dubai show. The company secured Dh10 million sales and another Dh20 million sales is expected in coming weeks.

UAE-based Gulf Craft with the biggest display in the marina was predicting strong final results compared to previous years. "This has been another spectacular year for Gulf Craft at the boat show" said Gulf Craft's Chairman Mohammed Hussein Al Shaali. "We were expecting there would be some hesitation among buyers but the market is showing a great deal of resilience.

Gulf Craft had globally premiered its oceangoing Nomad 55 - the shipyard's latest addition to its long-range series of Nomad Yachts - the show.

The UAE is one of the best yachting hubs in the world and there is strong demand from local buyers for yachts and boats of any size according to an industry specialist.

The Middle East is a thriving market for yachts and boats. According to the Superyacht Builders' Association (SYBAss) the region's market for yachts greater than 40 metres in length has grown at an average of six per cent per year from 2009 to 2015.

Among the Middle East's ultra high net worth individuals 55 per cent are likely to buy a yacht longer than 40 metres representing the highest 'propensity to buy' for any region globally.

This year organisers have continued their work to broaden the event's appeal as a marine lifestyle event. New for 2016 the show was extended to the beach for the first time offering taster sessions of popular water sports. Other new features include hands-on experiences where visitors can learn the basics of owning and driving a boat as well as fishing.

Families at the boat show experienced a festival of food music and live entertainment set alongside a stunning display of some of the world's most beautiful yachts with a new gourmet food event Sahtein joining the boat show for 2016.

Live bands played alongside two of the food areas at regular intervals throughout the evening. One collection of food stalls overlooked the Beach Demo Area with an evening fire performance and a view of the water sports activities and stunt performances.

Visitors also experienced the first round of the 2016 F1H2O World Championship happened alongside Dubai International Boat Show.

Eighteen drivers from nine teams representing 11 countries competed in Dubai's first ever Grand Prix from 2-4 March kicking off the 33rd season of the F1H2O World Championship. The 2016 line-up included three World Champions and 12 Grand Prix winners and runners up. Entry was free for all boat show attendees.

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