Taking place at Lusail Marina, Doha, until November 16th, the currently running Qatar International Boat Show (QIBS) 2013 got a surprise visitor, when the British Ambassador to Qatar, Nicholas Hopton, turned up with some of his family on the second day of the event.

British Ambassador with boat companies at QIBS 2013

“I had great pleasure visiting the Qatar International Boat Show,” he said, “where I saw a number of superb luxury boats from two world class British boat makers – Princess Yachts and Sunseeker. They are both prime examples of UK luxury boats and we are very proud to support their activities in Qatar and wish them every success going forward.”

Sunseeker International is a UK luxury motor yacht manufacturer, which has been making motor boats in England since 1979. Its boats have featured in a number of James Bond films, including The World Is Not Enough, (chasing up the Thames in the pre-credits sequence), Die Another Day, Casino Royale and Quantum of Solace.

Princess Yachts International is based in Plymouth, England. Its current model line up includes a range of flybridge yachts ranging from 42 to 64 feet, motor yachts from 72 to 98 feet, M Class super yachts from 105 to 130 feet and a series of V Class sports yachts ranging from 39 to 85 feet.

Simon Colebrooke, International Sales Manager for Princess Yachts, said he was very pleased to be exhibiting at QIBS 2013. “It’s important that there are boat shows like this in the region,” he added. “It’s a good platform for us to introduce the brand and in a lot of cases they’re the catalyst for the locals to actually make the decision to purchase. So we’re very happy to be here and I hope we’ll be back next year to an even bigger and better Qatar International Boat Show.”

Arif Oomer, Director of Sunseeker Middle East, thought the Qatar International Boat Show had been very useful, especially being the first of its kind in the country, with all its new marinas coming on stream and with all the new developments being built. “Today Qatar is the leading Gulf country and it has a lot of potential in every aspect of every business,” he said. “You really have a beautiful setting here and I wish QIBS all the luck.

“With the first show QIBS has hit it right first time,” Oomer continued. “You have the right tech pool and you have the right mix and you have all the major companies here; and  I really believe that the Qatar International Boat Show will give the Dubai Boat Show a run for its money,” Arif Oomer concluded.