Source: Poslovni dnevnik
The third edition of the international nautical fair Dalmatia Boat Show, which will be held from April 16 to 19 in Marina Baotić, confirms the growth and international significance of the event.
This year’s edition brings together 180 exhibitors from Croatia, Slovenia, Serbia, Hungary, the Czech Republic, Italy, Austria and Germany, with more than 200 vessels exhibited on land and sea. Special emphasis is placed on nine premieres, among which are the models Absolute 70 Fly, Absolute Navetta 53, Bali 5.2, Hanse 590, Pardo 43 and a number of attractive dinghies and daily boats.
Quality of experience
Željko Baotić, a well-known Croatian entrepreneur and owner of Marina Baotić, revealed to us what news this year’s edition of the Dalmatia Boat Show brings in terms of exhibitors, capacity expansion, and quality.
“This year’s edition confirms the continuity of growth and the clear profiling of the fair as a relevant business platform in nautical affairs. We are recording a significant increase in the number of exhibitors, more than 180 from Croatia, Slovenia, Serbia, Hungary, the Czech Republic, Italy, Austria and Germany, with more than 200 vessels exhibited at sea and on land, as well as the expansion of exhibition capacities. We are particularly pleased with the arrival of new international brands that were not previously present, because this shows that the market recognizes the quality and potential of the project. However, the goal is not only growth in numbers, but also the creation of an environment – business opportunities, in which concrete business results are generated. Along with an excellent team, the prerequisite for good organization is the location and infrastructure that we have in Marina Baotić. We have more than 400 berths at sea and on land and infrastructure that can accommodate vessels up to 60 meters in length, including superyachts. In addition, it is located just a few minutes from Split Airport, which makes it extremely accessible to international exhibitors and partners. It is precisely this combination of concrete capacities, technical equipment and strategic location that gives it an advantage in organizing an international nautical fair”, says Baotić for PD Vikend.
At a recent launch conference, it was emphasized that one of the strategic focuses of the fair is the promotion of Seget Donji, Dalmatia and Croatia as a top nautical destination. Our focus is on the quality of the experience – and the Split-Dalmatia County, with its top-notch infrastructure and nautical offer, is increasingly confirming itself as one of the most attractive destinations in the Mediterranean, with continuous growth in demand and additional investments in the development of nautical tourism.
“From the beginning, the Dalmatia Boat Show has had a broader role, it is more than a fair. It is a platform for positioning Seget Donji, the heart of Dalmatia, as an attractive nautical destination recognizable on a global level. Nautical activities are one of the highest quality segments of tourism and it is natural that through such an event we further affirm Seget Donji, Dalmatia and Croatia as a premium nautical region. Our advantage is in the exceptional coastline and natural resources, but what makes the difference in the long term is the level of organization and quality of the offer not only of the nautical show, but also of Marina Baotić, which has an exceptionally high-quality infrastructure and is the second largest charter marina in Croatia. On the other hand, the Dalmatia Boat Show brings together industry, investors and clients in one place and thus sends a clear message that this is a destination that is not only attractive for tourism, but also business-relevant. It is precisely this combination of tourism and business that is key to the further development of the destination,” reveals Baotić.
Additional confirmation of the quality and international recognition of the Dalmatia Boat Show as a relevant event in the nautical industry is represented by its entry into the International Federation of Boat Show Organizers, a global association of nautical fair organizers.
High standards
Entry into the prestigious Federation, they say, is a great recognition, but also a confirmation that the Dalmatia Boat Show meets high international standards of organization and quality.
“This opens up additional opportunities for us to network with leading world fairs and further strengthen Croatia’s position on the global nautical map. For us, it is first and foremost a confirmation that we work according to high international standards. It is not only a reputational recognition, but also a very concrete business tool. In the long term, this means better positioning of the fair on the international map and greater visibility of Croatia as a nautical destination. In an industry where trust is key, such memberships carry a lot of weight,” explained Baotić.
