• The event closes its 14th edition today, with a new record number of visitors, with very good feedback from exhibitors.
• Customers from all over the Spanish coast, as well as from Madrid, connoisseurs and those interested in the nautical world.

The Valencia Boat Show closed its 14th edition today, marked by the large number of visitors, who just a few hours before the show closed had already reached 20,997, with very positive feelings among exhibitors, who have confirmed the visit of many potential customers from various parts of the Spanish geography, as well as foreign residents on the Mediterranean coast.

The show has seen a combination of visitors looking for a first contact with boating and experienced users who have come with the intention of buying a new boat, finding a mooring, or acquiring equipment or accessories for their boat.

“It is a perfect time to meet the sector and do a lot of networking,” said Gustavo Benevaent, manager of Valencia Mar, a Valencian marina that has been an exhibitor and sponsor of the event for years. “We have had full confidence in the Valencia Boat Show from the beginning, because we believe that now is the time to have a nautical showcase in the city of Valencia. It is a good place to be and to do business”.

For five days, from 28 October to 1 November, the pontoons of La Marina de València have been the best showcase for new boats and new products, engines, electronics, services, marinas, tourist destinations, accessories and activities related to the sea.

València confirms its status as a sales show

The good weather, the coincidence with All Saints’ Day, the possibility of sea trials with all the boats afloat thanks to the unique conditions of La Marina de València, and the fact that it is the last show of the Mediterranean circuit of boat shows, are factors that have contributed to position València as a show of decision and purchase.

“We are very happy in general, Friday and Saturday were two excellent days,” said Jorge Haro from Navaltec, who, with the largest dry boat exhibition at the show, pointed out that this year they have multiplied the number of business contacts by 3.5 compared to previous editions of the show.

“We have had many visitors, the stand has been practically full every day, and we have made many interesting contacts both from the Comunitat and from abroad, and clients interested in large boats”, commented Manuel Vicente from Windward Yacht Services and Nautic Services, with a fleet of Aquila and Sessa Marine at the show.

For his part, Ricardo Bosch, from Marina Estrella, was “happy with the people who came. Clients we had arranged to meet, people coming from Madrid, Murcia and other places. Interesting clients, although now we still need to finalise”.

For Andrés Cárdenas, from Nuva Yachts, “the most important thing is that at a fair there are potential clients who show up and still don’t know us. That is what we are looking for at shows like València, that public that is yet to be found”. In this respect, he pointed out that “the weather has also been with us, which is very important. We have had a large number of visitors, especially on public holidays, with visitors from all along the coast, from Murcia to Castellón, passing through Alicante, Valencia and some from the centre of the peninsula. We are very happy with the services, and we have made many interesting contacts so, to come back next year”.

Manuel Subirana, sales manager of Girbau Boats, shared the same feelings. “We are happy to have come, it is good to make ourselves known in the area,” he said.

Náutica Aza and Sport Nautic, distributors of large French shipyards such as Jeanneau and Beneteau, respectively, are two regulars at the Valencian event who this year have also expressed their satisfaction with the Valencian show.

“We have received people from Alicante, Murcia, Madrid, Andalusia, I would say more than last year, and we are leaving with things to work with, so we are happy,” said Juan Manuel Endrino, from Náutica Aza, who pointed out the success of the multihulls, in view of those interested in the Bali 4.2 which is on display in Valencia.

“Every year we repeat because this is our home, it is a project of the companies of Valencia. It is a very grateful show on a commercial level, we make sales and customers from Valencia are delighted to come here to see new products and it is a bet that is important for Valencia,” said Antonio Gadea, director of Sport Nautic, who also recalled that “the good thing about sailing is that there is a public for all types of boats, and the love for sailing is growing”.

The new De Antonio D50 arrives in Valencia

The last day of the Valencia Boat Show saw the arrival of the new De Antonio D50 in the historic port of Valencia. “This is currently our flagship, our longest boat, which has a variant, the D50 Coupé, which we will present this winter,” said Marc De Antonio, co-founder of De Antonio Yachts, who visited the show on its last day. “This is a show that makes an effort every year to go further, it is an important national show and, being a Spanish brand, we obviously want to be there and have a relevant presence,” said De Antonio.

“We have always trusted in the Valencia show and we come every year, but this year has been the best we have had so far in terms of clients, potential buyers and even operations practically closed”, commented José Luis Naturil, from Pleamar, distributor of De Antonio Yachts.

Mapfre, the official insurer of the Valencia Boat Show, has had two stands where it has presented its products linked to recreational boats to the general public. “Valencia Boat Show and Mapfre share a passion for the sea,” said Miguel Ángel Monzó, business promoter of the Dt València.