Hanseboot 2008 went significantly better than we could have expected in view of the daily media reports on the financial and economic crisis,” said Bernd Aufderheide, CEO of Hamburg Messe und Congress GmbH, in his summary of the 49th Hamburg International Boat Show.The event closed on Sunday after the scheduled nine exhibition days. There were a total of some 100,000 visitors (compared with 105,549 in 2007) at hanseboot 2008; visitor numbers at the hanseboot harbour at Baumwall were also somewhat down on last year (22,000 visitors in 2008 compared with 25,000 in 2007). But the especially on the sunny autumn days, hanseboot harbour attracted large numbers of watersports enthusiasts more than 50 large sailing and motor yachts in their element.
There were more than 800 exhibitors at the hanseboot harbour and in the eleven halls of the Hamburg Fair site. They were satisfied or very satisfied with the event, reporting positive overall results. Purchasing interest was much greater than expected. The manufacturers and dealers of equipment and accessories reported good sales. Boat builders and yacht dealers also reported strong sales, and expect good follow-up business based on many intensive discussions and specific offers. People continue to be fascinated and enthused by the idea of getting out on the water.
Hanseboot regularly attracts a very expert audience with plenty of purchasing power, thanks to its ideal location between the North Sea and the Baltic. That is also reflected in the visitor structure of hanseboot 2008. 21% of visitors have net household income of more than 5,000 euros, so their purchasing power is well above the national average. Some 93% of visitors are active practitioners of watersports. Visitor interest is directed primarily at sailing (56% of responses). The accessories and outfitting sector is also attracting increasing interest, with 50%. That is followed by motor boats with 33% and engines with 18%. 75% of hanseboot visitors own their own boat or surfboard or kiteboard, and 14% charter a boat from time to time.
“Purchase intention was greater than expected in a difficult economic environment,” said Claus-Ehlert Meyer, Managing Director of the German Boat and Shipbuilders Association (DBSV). “The majority of my members were satisfied with results at hanseboot.” The reason for the largely positive assessment by exhibitors, he added, is “the many different sectors of the industry, which are never hit simultaneously and to the same extent by fluctuations in the economy”.
