The living room had 60% of local visitors, 35% national and 5% international... valuing the Valencian sample a total of 78% of the exhibitors in a positive way the change of model of the living room (Photo Vicent Bosch)

The Valencia Boat Show closed its eighth edition on November 6, far exceeding the turnover of the previous editions thanks to the change of dates and the new bet on the sale of new boats. The Valencian nautical hall has been renovated in this edition by moving its dates to autumn to position itself as a new boat sale room, with the attractive addition of being able to try the boats at sea thanks to the conditions of the Marina de Valencia.

The competition had five professional days and two days of open doors, with free entrance for the public. The result has been an influx of 15,000 visitors during the seven days, 60% from Valencia, 35% from the national territory and 5% from international countries. In addition, the living room has been able to attract its target audience as, according to the data provided by the exhibitors themselves, "a visitor interested in buying, who knows the nautical terms," has been received this year.

4.3 million turnover
The figures speak for themselves. In this edition of the Valencia Boat Show, a total turnover of EUR 4.3 million has been generated, according to an estimate made by the organization based on the information provided by the exhibitors. In addition, not only were ships between 5 and 18 metres long, accessories, clothing and services sold during the competition, but also professional contacts were generated, and operations began to be managed that will bear fruit in the coming weeks.

The exhibitors agreed to point out the recovery of a sector heavily punished by the crisis in recent years. "The rate of sale of ships during the period 2002 to 2006 was unusually high. With the arrival of the crisis, the level of sale was drastically reduced, and the owner of ships that came to the nautical by mymetism or fashion, with the crisis was quickly rid of his boat, generating a large increase in the offer of semi-new boat, and the sale of new boat was stalled. Once this day has passed, it is virtually impossible to find a boat less than ten years old, which has led to a recovery of the sale of new boats," says Fernando Jiménez, president of the Valencia Boat Show.

During the Valencia Boat Show several operations were closed that show that the city is becoming a point of reference for the nautical recreation. For example, the announcement made by the British investment fund Clipper Marine, recently appointed official distributor in Spain of the Bavaria shipyard, of the choice of Valencia as headquarters to open its main sales office on the peninsula.

The British distributor confirmed his bet on Valencia as a market of interest for the sale of ships in view of the large number of interested visitors during the dates of the competition.

Economic impact for the city
From October 31 to November 6, more than 250 exhibitors from the companies that participated in the competition met in Valencia, generating an average expenditure on overnight stays of 16,250 euros a day, to which is added the consumption in restoration, mainly in restaurants located in the surroundings of the Marina Real Juan Carlos I.

On the other hand, the nautical hall of Valencia contributes significantly to the nautical development of the Marina of Valencia and to the promotion of the Community as a nautical destination for both national and international visitors. At the national level, during the months of September, October and November alone, the living room has had an impact of 655,000 euros in the print press and the Internet, and has appeared in specialized media from the United Kingdom, Switzerland, Italy, the Netherlands or Portugal, including the international television channel Nautical Channel, which is broadcast on more than 9 channels worldwide.

In addition, much of the 210,000 euros total budget of the Valencia Boat Show has had an impact on Valencian companies, as the assembly, marketing and communication have been carried out through companies located in Valencia.

78% satisfied
In a survey of exhibitors after the end of the living room, 78% valued the change of model as good or very good, with the commitment to the sale of new boats. In addition, the exhibitors surveyed gave an average note of 8.1 out of 10 to the new location of the Valencia Boat Show, in front of the EDEM headquarters and the Lanzadera building instead of around the Veles Vents building.

More space in 2017
As the general director of Consortium Valencia 2007, Vicent Llorens, said on the last day of the event, the Valencia Boat Show of 2017 will have more square meters in the Marina Real Juan Carlos I, including Tinglado nº2, which he said will be rehabilitated. "The nautical is an economic activity, which generates occupation, which creates and maintains companies, contributes to the positioning of the city and generates tourism supply and demand. I believe that the nautical hall is an essential piece in the Marina itself and in Valencia itself," said Vicent Llorens on the last day of the living room.