Jeddah is hosting the first ever Saudi International Boat Show to be held from Oct. 14-17, 2009 at the Al Furusya Marine and Yacht Club located in the grounds of the new Park Hyatt. The impressive Al Furusya Marine & Yacht Club is located in the Al Hamra district in the heart of Jeddah, minutes away from Jeddah Port and commanding spectacular views across the Red Sea and King Fahd's fountain. Organized by Dubai World Trade Centre and endorsed by the Saudi Commission for Tourism and Antiquities, the inaugural event will showcase the world's leading names participating in the Kingdom's largest display of boats, the latest marine and diving equipment, tourism, supplies and services. The boat show will include the first-ever dedicated diving village, hosting diving lessons & seminars. Additionally there will be fishing and jet ski competitions, boating conference and a weekend of festivities. “Saudi Arabia is one of very few countries in the world where the effect of the global economic crisis has been relatively minor; thus highlighting the continued Saudi governmental support for the domestic tourism market which is both robust and unwavering,” said Prince Abdullah Bin Saud Bin Mohammed Al-Saud, Chairman of Al Ahlam Marina Tourism Groups, the management company of Al Furusya Marine & Yacht Club. “Jeddah's location on the beautiful Red Sea is perfect for all types of marine sports activities and we intend the Saudi International Boat Show to be a major contributor to the development of this vibrant city's potential as a prime destination for domestic and international tourists,” he said. Helal Saeed Almarri, chief executive officer, Dubai World Trade Centre, noted: “The Saudi International Boat Show will not only provide a unique meeting place for thousands of marine enthusiasts in Saudi Arabia but will offer a fun packed visitor experience of the latest and newest boats, yachts, fishing, diving and sailing activities from all around the world.” One of the industries leading companies Sunseeker Middle East CEO Ali Al Jafla said “Jeddah already has a well established boating community and the Saudi Boat Show is an ideal opportunity for top boat builders like ourselves to penetrate a market that has unlimited growth potential.” “We shall be proudly displaying the latest Sunseeker models and are sure they will become a familiar sight on the Red Sea and Jeddah Creek,” he added. One of the leading exhibitors is Alghanim Marine, who is the Middle East distributor of Cigarette Racing Boats. “We are very much looking forward to showcasing the Top Gun 39ft and the Cigarette Top Fish 39ft at this year's inaugural Saudi International Boat Show and we are sure that this debut event will excite the imagination of all Saudi boating enthusiasts,” said Peter Safwat, Alghanim Marine. Jeddah's recently launched 20-year regeneration plan includes reuniting the city centre with its marine environment, extending and enhancing facilities on the Corniche and developing the city's hospitality facilities. The pleasures offered by the Red Sea for boating, fishing and scuba diving are a key attraction in Jeddah's aim to become a world class resort for Saudis vacationing from other cities in the Kingdom and visitors from abroad who come to enjoy the year
