As the continent’s premier boat show, Boatica is the ideal setting for buyers, networking, and to learn about new innovations in marine manufacturing.
More than 5 500 people attended the 2022 exhibition with many of the visitors coming from all over the world. An incredible 82% of exhibitors at last year’s show said their experience was so valuable, that they expected to generate post-show business from it.
This year’s Boatica looks set to be bigger than ever, with over 70 exhibitors and more than 50 boats on display. This includes at least three new boat launches.
Activities to be featured at the 2023 exhibition include dragon-boat racing, e-foiling – a sport involving an electrically-propelled board – and various luxury cruise experiences. Visitors will also get the chance to up their sailing skills.
In the run-up to this year’s exhibition, I had the opportunity to visit two companies that will be exhibiting – Southern Power who will be launching a new hybrid engine, and Cape Performance Sailing, whose remarkable Cape 31 racing boat has been making waves with sailors all over the world!
With a marine manufacturing industry that acts as a major contributor to the local and global economy, Boatica is a highlight on Cape Town’s event calendar. In South Africa, ocean sports, for example, is estimated to be valued at more than R2 billion while boat-building is estimated at around R3 billion.
Research by the City’s industry partner, BlueCape, has found that both are potentially high value sectors with ocean sports showing a growth rate of 20% per annum and boat-building growing at around 17% per annum.
BlueCape and the City will also have its own stand which will feature the Hall of Fame showing all the nominees from the SABBEX industry awards that took place in May.
I look forward to opening Boatica this weekend and welcoming more locals, visitors and investors. With major gatherings such as these, we can drive opportunities and unlock greater innovation in Cape Town’s ocean economy.
