Southampton Boat Show attendance up over first weekend
Motorboat & Yachting: The organisers of the Southampton Boat Show have claimed that the first weekend saw a 3% rise in visitors when compared to last year.
This year’s Southampton Boat Show has got off to a strong start, with organisers British Marine Boat Shows claiming a 3% rise in attendance over the opening weekend.
The Southampton Boat Show attendance figures are even rosier when compared to 2013, which results in a 5% boost in attendance for Britain’s biggest boat show over the past two years.
Highlights so far have included a guest appearance from Formula 1 presenter Suzi Perry, music from Britain’s Got Talent winners Collabro, and an aerial display from RAF stunt team The Red Arrows.
And on the water, world premieres from Fairline Boats, Princess Yachts and Beneteau have further piqued the interest of boat lovers.
However, with five full days still to come, the organisers were keen to stress that there is still plenty of attractions to lure visitors down to Mayflower Park, including the return of Ladies Day on Thursday (September 17).
The boating industry has enjoyed a bumper show so far, with brokerage firm Clipper Marine selling three boats on Press Preview Day.
Penny Hopkins at Dean and Reddyhoff marinas was equally upbeat, adding: “We had a fantastic and busy first day at the show, we have had a steady stream of visitors to the stand and received lots of new business enquiries.”
