The 2024 Boating Sanya event was a resounding success, featuring an impressive lineup of over 45 brands and 50 exhibitors hailing from 10 different countries. It showcased a remarkable total of 200 boats, including 25 exciting premieres. Held from December 5 to 8, this event marked a pivotal moment for the Chinese yachting industry. Around 30 key industry associations participated, including notable organizations such as the International Council of Marine Industry Associations (ICOMIA), the Leading Yacht Brokers Association (LYBRA), and the Asia-Pacific Superyacht Association (APSA). The exhibition placed a spotlight on brands from countries like France, the UK, Italy, Germany, and Turkey, with prestigious names such as Beneteau and Azimut taking center stage.
This year’s theme was “Raising Sails in Sanya, Boating into the Free Trade Port.” In addition to the main venue at the Sanya International Yachting Center, the event expanded to include a secondary location at the Visun Royal Yacht Club Marina. It was also a special occasion celebrating the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and France, integrating aspects of the Sino-French Cultural and Tourism Year.
The Prominent Role of Boating in Sanya
Sanya stands out with over 1,400 registered yachts, placing it among the top cities in the country for yacht and sailboat ownership, and earning it the title of “City of a Thousand Yachts.” The city has pioneered three significant policies: “no guarantee for entry,” “zero tariffs on yachts,” and “yacht imports within five years,” facilitating a robust marine economy.
Moreover, there are more than 90 yacht industry chain enterprises operating in Sanya, including Visun Group, Bureau Veritas, Moonocean Yachts, and Omnia Marine. High-profile yacht brands like Ferretti, Azimut, and Beneteau were prominently featured at the event, reinforcing Sanya’s reputation as a premier destination for yacht tourism, as well as a hotspot for international yacht product launches, business negotiations, and events. This vibrant scene is expanding Hainan’s international “circle of friends” through the world of yachting.
The Heart of the Yachting Economy
Boating Sanya takes place in an esteemed setting, representing the lid on the local and national boating industry. “We embraced the opportunity to create a leading international exhibition that showcases a diverse range of products and highlights the brand and innovative image of nautical cultural tourism in Sanya,” noted the spokesperson from the Sanya Central Affairs Administration Office. “This exhibition platform aims to attract upstream yacht industry research and design, midstream yacht trade agents, and downstream training research institutions and water activity market entities to foster interaction, cooperation, and dialogue. This effort will help integrate industry resources, promote innovative development within the yacht sector, and enhance Sanya’s collaborative growth.
The Boating Sanya 2024 event was brought to life through a series of high-profile activities, including launches, world premieres, exhibitions, business meetings, industry forums, and the prestigious “China Yacht Awards Ceremony.” This dynamic and engaging program, which included numerous conferences previously highlighted, significantly elevated the image of Sanya as a proactive supporter of the boating industry’s growth.