Dubai: Boat chartering in Dubai is expected to gain more popularity in the coming years, buoyed by new waterfront projects, according to industry experts.
Dubai is a popular destination for boating. Projects like Deira Islands and The World are anticipated to enable people to spend more time on the water.
Chartering is an option for people who can’t afford to buy a boat or yacht, says Adnan Rashid, office manager at Royal Yachting Middle East Boat Trading, which offers boat charter services.
He says demand for charter services is also increasing because people are becoming more aware of it.
“Demand is strong for chartering this year. People are increasingly becoming aware of it. We have a lot of youngsters who are willing to go for chartering,” he said.
Royal Yachting chartered three boats per month last year, he said, but did not provide a figure for the full year. He expects his company to charter more boats this year but did not say by how much.
The cost to charter a boat can be high for some but there are less costly options. “You have Dh1,750 for a four-hour package that includes a 33-feet fishing boat. But we also offer Dh550 per hour for a 33-feet boat,” Rashid said.
He said demand is strong for chartering all year except for the summer months due to the hot weather.
Dubai is trying to position itself as a leading destination for water sports. The Dubai Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM) and Emirates Airline last November launched a campaign called “See you in Dubai” to draw people’s attention to attractions that include water sports and beaches.
Boat manufacturers and dealers say the UAE boating industry is recovering from the 2008 financial crisis, having picked up since 2010. However, the industry has not reached pre-2008 levels, according to Mohammad Al Shaali, chairman of Ajman-based boat manufacturer, Gulf Craft.
“Before 2008, people were just buying anything at any price. I think customers now are more careful about their money and are also looking for a good deal,” he said.
The UAE maritime industry is valued at more than $61 billion, according to a statement from the Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC), organisers of the Dubai International Boat Show, which kicked off on Tuesday, citing data from the Dubai Council for Marine and Maritime Industries.
