Ships ahoy!
March 28, 2004 | 12:00am
SINGAPORE – This lion city is all set to give a roaring welcome to some 8,000 visitors from the Philippines, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, Hong Kong, Australia and New Zealand as it hosts Boat Asia 2004, Southeast Asia’s not-to-be-missed dream boat show, on April 15-18 at Sentosa Cove.
All roads (or is it all seas?) may as well lead to the four-day exhibition, which is expected to draw some of the world’s biggest boat manufacturers and probably the most passionate boating aficionados alike. Think exhibitors like Australia-based Riviera Group, Australia’s largest luxury cruiser manufacturer now making waves in Southeast Asia and worldwide. Riviera is displaying its stylish Riviera 40 Flybridge, the Riviera 43, a proven blue water performer, and the 2000 model Riviera 3000.
Apart from Riviera, among the boat brands which will be present at the show are Ferretti, Pershing, Azimut, Beneteau and Sunsail, so PR man Danny Chaplin tells us.
Says Tammy Gouldstone, senior project manager of Boat Asia 2004, "Our message is that boating can be suitable for anyone, so we want to encourage those who merely dream of the marine lifestyle to go for it and make Boat Asia 2004 their destination. We are focusing our efforts on Filipino enthusiasts and we hope to fix Boat Asia firmly in their minds as the key regional gathering for the marine leisure industry."
Yes, indeed. There’s something about sailing that attracts men (and yes, the more stouthearted women) to leave hearth and home and venture into the high seas. Some say it’s (almost) better than sex, citing, among others, the following reasons: 1) If you’re having trouble with sailing, it’s perfectly acceptable to pay a professional to show you how to improve your technique; 2) The Ten Commandments do not say anything about sailing; 3) If your partner takes pictures or videotapes of you sailing, you don’t have to worry about them showing up on the Internet; 4) Nobody expects you to promise to sail with just one partner for the rest of your life; 5) Your sailing partner will never say, "What? We just sailed last week! Is that all you ever think about?"
A-sailing is all we could think about as we prepare to board M.S. Columbus at Keppel Marina on a balmy Thursday for a press preview of Boat Asia 2004 as our trusty boat takes us to this year’s boat show venue, Sentosa Cove.
Looking every bit seaworthy, the Columbus was actually built in 1910 in Holland and has played gracious host to European royalty and heads of state. Today, it’s hosting a group of journalists, all raring to get into the swim of things as they explore the Columbus’ facilities – its air-conditioned restaurant, air-conditioned lounge that doubles as a second dining room, air-conditioned library where one can play board games as well, cocktail bar and sound-proofed disco/karaoke room. Of course, non-seafarers that we are, we’re assured that anti-motion sickness pills are available to those who require them. So, for journalists who get seasick at the mere sight of waves, there’s no need to trade one’s tape recorder or digital cam for that indispensable Bonamine, which is on the house.
Also on the house is a sumptuous buffet lunch of regional favorites. But as most journalists know, there’s no such thing as a free lunch so we all squeeze into the conference room for the press conference.
Warren Buckley, CEO of Suntec Integrated Media, addresses his captive audience (but amid the Columbus’ luxurious setting, who would ever think of jumping ship?) in his welcome speech: "For many years, Boat Asia has been acknowledged as Southeast Asia’s leading boat show. Yet, as even Michael Schumacher will probably tell you, getting to the top is easy; staying there long is tough.
"I’ve got news for you: At Suntec Integrated Media, as the new owners of this show, we intend to keep Boat Asia’s pole position as Asia’s preeminent exhibition for boats and boating enthusiasts and we’ve got a strategy on how to achieve this as well.
"After many successive boat shows held indoors in the past, we have brought back Boat Asia where it belongs – in the water. For that, we are happy to have partnered with Sentosa Development Corporation. You will have the opportunity to visit and to see their new marina site at Sentosa Cove, a location that feels like a marine resort yet is easily accessible from downtown Singapore.
"As Boat Asia is embarking on a new beginning, it is widely acknowledged that Asia is still largely underdeveloped as a boating region, despite its undisputed potential. We need more active initiatives to promote and grow the regional industry and the revitalized Boat Asia exhibition is set to be one such opportunity.
"Our choice of Singapore as the location for this show is determined not only by its excellent infrastructure and market potential, but also by the invaluable assistance of the Singapore Tourism Board and their active support to position Singapore as a regional boating and cruising hub.
"Our message to all is loud and clear: Look no farther than Asia for boating and cruising lifestyle par excellence because in Asia, we have everything it takes – climate, tropical waters, world-class marinas, support and boating expertise.
"Our dream is to see the region positioned as a safe and developed cruising destination and we will actively participate in all initiatives that have this objective in mind."
Roel van Leeuwen, director of Suntec Integrated Media, notes the exhibition’s "rebranding," the 180-degree turnaround from previous shows’ format, and why Sentosa is an ideal venue for the show. "Sentosa Cove, situated at the southeastern side of the major holiday island in Singapore, has been earmarked for (2,600-unit waterfront) residential development with marina facilities."
Singapore’s biggest marina, Sentosa Cove will have 240 berths, 10 of which are being set aside for luxury yachts, some 120 to 200 ft. long and costing from US$15 million to US$100 million. Wow! Talk about the (boating) lifestyle of the rich and famous! The Singapore government has given the Sentosa developer the special licence to let foreigners own property on that upscale resort island.
"We’re in the same boat," says Jyrki Jaamaa, general manager - S.E. Asia of Simpson Marine. "We should all work together to get more Southeast Asian people into boating, to take the whole family and have a great time."
Looking like a hale and hearty seafarer, Jyrki, who counts 20 years of experience in sailing and selling boats (he has sold one to a Filipino businessman), tells us that 60 percent of the US boating market and 30 percent of Europe’s marinas are congested while Asia still has a huge opportunity to build marinas.
"We’re looking at Asia as a potential cruising ground," says seasoned, suntanned sailor Y.P. Loke, managing director of Spinnaker International. "Though we’re surrounded by so much water, Asians do not consider sailing as part of their lifestyle. Except perhaps in Singapore, where there are about 2,000 private boats. We want to get more Asians interested in boating."
The kind of man who would probably wear a sailing cap to church or have a broken boat part in the trunk of his car, YP just loves the boating lifestyle. He declares, "It’s very relaxing to go to the water. When people go on a holiday, they either go up the mountains or go some place close to the water. I have a job that keeps me always close to the water. I can’t think of a better industry to be in. My wife likes the mountains, she doesn’t like the sun. One thing about the sea is you must love the sun."
And you must know how to swim?
Says YP, "I can swim and I can dive, but you don’t have to – it’s not a requirement. I know sailors who can’t swim."
We also get to meet up close veteran yachtsman Simon James, business development manager-Asia Pacific of First Choice and marine/sales manager-Asia Pacific of Sunsail. "We plan to launch two new exciting cruising areas and new sailing school products at this year’s Boat Asia 2004."
Amid a wave of familiar (to the boating scene) faces, there’s also Alessandro Diomedi, managing director of the Ferretti Group, "Boat shows create a lifestyle; they get people excited about the boating lifestyle," he says.
So, all aboard for Boat Asia 2004!
For more information on Boat Asia 2004, log on to www.boat-asia.com.
All roads (or is it all seas?) may as well lead to the four-day exhibition, which is expected to draw some of the world’s biggest boat manufacturers and probably the most passionate boating aficionados alike. Think exhibitors like Australia-based Riviera Group, Australia’s largest luxury cruiser manufacturer now making waves in Southeast Asia and worldwide. Riviera is displaying its stylish Riviera 40 Flybridge, the Riviera 43, a proven blue water performer, and the 2000 model Riviera 3000.
Apart from Riviera, among the boat brands which will be present at the show are Ferretti, Pershing, Azimut, Beneteau and Sunsail, so PR man Danny Chaplin tells us.
Says Tammy Gouldstone, senior project manager of Boat Asia 2004, "Our message is that boating can be suitable for anyone, so we want to encourage those who merely dream of the marine lifestyle to go for it and make Boat Asia 2004 their destination. We are focusing our efforts on Filipino enthusiasts and we hope to fix Boat Asia firmly in their minds as the key regional gathering for the marine leisure industry."
Yes, indeed. There’s something about sailing that attracts men (and yes, the more stouthearted women) to leave hearth and home and venture into the high seas. Some say it’s (almost) better than sex, citing, among others, the following reasons: 1) If you’re having trouble with sailing, it’s perfectly acceptable to pay a professional to show you how to improve your technique; 2) The Ten Commandments do not say anything about sailing; 3) If your partner takes pictures or videotapes of you sailing, you don’t have to worry about them showing up on the Internet; 4) Nobody expects you to promise to sail with just one partner for the rest of your life; 5) Your sailing partner will never say, "What? We just sailed last week! Is that all you ever think about?"
A-sailing is all we could think about as we prepare to board M.S. Columbus at Keppel Marina on a balmy Thursday for a press preview of Boat Asia 2004 as our trusty boat takes us to this year’s boat show venue, Sentosa Cove.
Looking every bit seaworthy, the Columbus was actually built in 1910 in Holland and has played gracious host to European royalty and heads of state. Today, it’s hosting a group of journalists, all raring to get into the swim of things as they explore the Columbus’ facilities – its air-conditioned restaurant, air-conditioned lounge that doubles as a second dining room, air-conditioned library where one can play board games as well, cocktail bar and sound-proofed disco/karaoke room. Of course, non-seafarers that we are, we’re assured that anti-motion sickness pills are available to those who require them. So, for journalists who get seasick at the mere sight of waves, there’s no need to trade one’s tape recorder or digital cam for that indispensable Bonamine, which is on the house.
Also on the house is a sumptuous buffet lunch of regional favorites. But as most journalists know, there’s no such thing as a free lunch so we all squeeze into the conference room for the press conference.
Warren Buckley, CEO of Suntec Integrated Media, addresses his captive audience (but amid the Columbus’ luxurious setting, who would ever think of jumping ship?) in his welcome speech: "For many years, Boat Asia has been acknowledged as Southeast Asia’s leading boat show. Yet, as even Michael Schumacher will probably tell you, getting to the top is easy; staying there long is tough.
"I’ve got news for you: At Suntec Integrated Media, as the new owners of this show, we intend to keep Boat Asia’s pole position as Asia’s preeminent exhibition for boats and boating enthusiasts and we’ve got a strategy on how to achieve this as well.
"After many successive boat shows held indoors in the past, we have brought back Boat Asia where it belongs – in the water. For that, we are happy to have partnered with Sentosa Development Corporation. You will have the opportunity to visit and to see their new marina site at Sentosa Cove, a location that feels like a marine resort yet is easily accessible from downtown Singapore.
"As Boat Asia is embarking on a new beginning, it is widely acknowledged that Asia is still largely underdeveloped as a boating region, despite its undisputed potential. We need more active initiatives to promote and grow the regional industry and the revitalized Boat Asia exhibition is set to be one such opportunity.
"Our choice of Singapore as the location for this show is determined not only by its excellent infrastructure and market potential, but also by the invaluable assistance of the Singapore Tourism Board and their active support to position Singapore as a regional boating and cruising hub.
"Our message to all is loud and clear: Look no farther than Asia for boating and cruising lifestyle par excellence because in Asia, we have everything it takes – climate, tropical waters, world-class marinas, support and boating expertise.
"Our dream is to see the region positioned as a safe and developed cruising destination and we will actively participate in all initiatives that have this objective in mind."
Roel van Leeuwen, director of Suntec Integrated Media, notes the exhibition’s "rebranding," the 180-degree turnaround from previous shows’ format, and why Sentosa is an ideal venue for the show. "Sentosa Cove, situated at the southeastern side of the major holiday island in Singapore, has been earmarked for (2,600-unit waterfront) residential development with marina facilities."
Singapore’s biggest marina, Sentosa Cove will have 240 berths, 10 of which are being set aside for luxury yachts, some 120 to 200 ft. long and costing from US$15 million to US$100 million. Wow! Talk about the (boating) lifestyle of the rich and famous! The Singapore government has given the Sentosa developer the special licence to let foreigners own property on that upscale resort island.
"We’re in the same boat," says Jyrki Jaamaa, general manager - S.E. Asia of Simpson Marine. "We should all work together to get more Southeast Asian people into boating, to take the whole family and have a great time."
Looking like a hale and hearty seafarer, Jyrki, who counts 20 years of experience in sailing and selling boats (he has sold one to a Filipino businessman), tells us that 60 percent of the US boating market and 30 percent of Europe’s marinas are congested while Asia still has a huge opportunity to build marinas.
"We’re looking at Asia as a potential cruising ground," says seasoned, suntanned sailor Y.P. Loke, managing director of Spinnaker International. "Though we’re surrounded by so much water, Asians do not consider sailing as part of their lifestyle. Except perhaps in Singapore, where there are about 2,000 private boats. We want to get more Asians interested in boating."
The kind of man who would probably wear a sailing cap to church or have a broken boat part in the trunk of his car, YP just loves the boating lifestyle. He declares, "It’s very relaxing to go to the water. When people go on a holiday, they either go up the mountains or go some place close to the water. I have a job that keeps me always close to the water. I can’t think of a better industry to be in. My wife likes the mountains, she doesn’t like the sun. One thing about the sea is you must love the sun."
And you must know how to swim?
Says YP, "I can swim and I can dive, but you don’t have to – it’s not a requirement. I know sailors who can’t swim."
We also get to meet up close veteran yachtsman Simon James, business development manager-Asia Pacific of First Choice and marine/sales manager-Asia Pacific of Sunsail. "We plan to launch two new exciting cruising areas and new sailing school products at this year’s Boat Asia 2004."
Amid a wave of familiar (to the boating scene) faces, there’s also Alessandro Diomedi, managing director of the Ferretti Group, "Boat shows create a lifestyle; they get people excited about the boating lifestyle," he says.
So, all aboard for Boat Asia 2004!
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