Preview: Singapore Yacht Show 2014

Asia’s premier boating and luxury lifestyle showcase, the Singapore Yacht Show, returns to ONE°15 Marina Club in Sentosa Cove from April 10-13 2014.

Amid a glamorous round of elite parties and high-end entertaining, the world’s leading yacht and boat builders, as well as many major luxury brands, are converging on the region’s equivalent to the Monaco Yacht Show in Europe and the Fort Lauderdale Boat Show in the United States.
 

As well as latest superyachts and sports cruisers, this year’s event also launches a separate expo of supercars and classic cars – with the line-up of prestige brands extending to fine art, specialist timepieces and hand-crafted jewelry, premium wines & spirits and luxurious waterside properties.
 

“In Southeast Asia’s most vibrant and exciting city, this exclusive event truly epitomises luxury lifestyle, showcasing some of the world's best-known brands and ultimate experiences,” said Andy Treadwell, managing director of organiser Singapore Yacht Events.

The Singapore Yacht Show has practically doubled in size at each edition since being launched four years ago, and this year’s event is “shaping up to be the best yet”, he said, with more than a hundred luxury brands including around 100 world-class boats – including over 20 superyachts, some measuring up to 70 metres (230ft).

Organisers expect a new record in visitor numbers, exceeding the 11,000 who registered last year, to the boardwalks of Quayside Isle at Sentosa Cove – complete with lively bars, restaurants and the cool W Singapore hotel.  Entertainment has this year been extended to private VIP dinners, fashion shows, live entertainment and DJs.

Headlining the boat line-up are the breathtaking, award-winning S/Y Vertigo - at 70m, one of the world’s most celebrated sailing superyachts; the contemporary 50m explorer M/Y Exuma; and the elegant 60m cruiser M/Y Cloud 9.

More and more of the industry's biggest players are attending, with world famous brands exhibiting for the first time including Alloy Yachts, Lurssen, Edmiston & Company, Fraser Yachts, Perini Navi/Picchiotti, Philippe Briand, Porto Montenegro, Rossinavi Yachts, Sunreef Yachts, Y.CO and Yacht Zoo.

Among many debuts, Simpson Marine’s Lagoon 52 is one exciting new arrival, demonstrating a whole new era in cruising catamaran design. Other notable Asian launches include The Royal Albatross, a Tall Ship refurbished with a superyacht interior.

Beyond the show, the ‘Lion City’ itself is part of the success story – as an Asian events hub of integrated resorts, 5-star hotels and casinos with world-class dining, shopping and leisure attractions including Universal Studios.

The show’s dramatic growth reflects Singapore’s unique position as a genuine, first-class regional hub, and its ranking as the third-highest city in the world for resident multi-millionaires at the epicenter of Asian wealth management.

“This year’s surge in interest is testament to the global yachting industry’s recognition of Asia as a key emerging market – and affirmation of the Singapore show’s appeal to high-wealth, discerning visitors from across the region and world,” Mr Treadwell noted. “It has become the premier marketing platform in Asia for all the big boating and yachting brands and we are very pleased to welcome so many excellent exhibitors, as well as our main sponsors Maxim Trader, Luxaviation, Sevenstar Yacht Transport, BMW Asia and MTU Asia.”

Event director Phil Blake added: “The rapid take-up of berths is a significant measure of the confidence that the regional and international yachting industries have in the show.”

Executive chairman of ONE°15 Marina Club Arthur Tay said: “We are absolutely delighted to be hosting this iconic event once again, and play our part in positioning Singapore as a sustainable yachting and nautical hub. We are seeing a real growth in the yachting and boating industry here.”
 
Single day admission tickets to the Singapore Yacht Show are priced at SG$50 with multi-day passes for SG$80. 

To read more on the potential of the SE Asian yachting market, click here

*Images supplied by Singapore Yacht Show Press Office and Wikimedia Commons
*Original story:  TravelDailyNews.asia via Google News  (search term: Singapore Yacht Show)