Abu Dhabi is the place to be (and be seen!)

'The site of the Abu Dhabi Yacht Show, March 2009.' Jeni Bone

The Arabian Gulf will host two shows in Abu Dhabi in the next year. The first is scheduled for November and will be organised by Knotika Holding, fresh from the success of the Kuwait Boat Show. The second is scheduled for March 2009.

The inaugural Emirates Boat Show will run in Abu Dhabi, 25 to 29 November at Abu Dhabi International Marine Sports Club.

Next year, the Abu Dhabi Yacht Show will run 12 to 14 March 2009, held at the new Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC).

ADNEC, the brand new venue for the on-land portion of the Abu Dhabi Yacht Show. - Jeni Bone

Two air conditioned halls within ADNEC will house the on-land portion of the show, overlooking the new pontoon area which will be home to the megayacht exhibits.

A bridge will link the two adjacent areas and a continuous shuttle service will also ferry visitors between the two areas.

The Abu Dhabi Yacht Show, organised by Informa Yacht Group, owner and operator of the Monaco Yacht Show, will target a specific group of elite, wealthy buyers in the market for megayachts upwards of 30m and a budget of over $15million.

The show has already attracted a number of leading megayacht shipyards and brokers keen to take advantage of the massive market opportunities available in the Gulf region. Burger Boat Company, Northrop & Johnson, Palmer Johnson, Trinity Yachts and Westport Shipyard have already signed up to attend.

More at www.abudhabiyachtshow.com

For information on the Emirates Boat Show, email [email protected]or visit www.emiratesboatshow.com

Abu Dhabi is the wealthiest state of the UAE in terms of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and per capita income.

The average net worth for Abu Dhabi's 420,000 citizens is AED 62 million (US$ 17 million), and more than $1 trillion is invested worldwide in this city alone.

Waterfront development is booming with more than $150 billion planned in investment over the next five years.