The Hindu Business Line : Boat show begins at Kochi

The Kerala Chief Minister, Mr Oommen Chandy, sitting on a water scooter with the Tourism Minister, Mr K.C. Venugopal, on the pillion, at the inauguration of the India International Boat Show 2004 at Kochi on Friday. The Kerala Tourism Director, Mr T.O. Sooraj, looks on. — K.K. Mustafah

Kochi , Oct. 8

THE boats that set sail from different lands anchored in Kochi on Friday for the 3-day India International Boat Show 2004 organised by the Kerala Tourism Department.

As many as 15 foreign firms from countries such as US, the UK, UAE, Thailand, Singapore etc have set up stalls in the venue to showcase top boating and marine brands available in the global shipping industry.

The overseas participation this year has increased from 15 per cent to around 30 per cent and exhibitors are displaying various kinds of boats, kayaks, amphibious boats and catamarans at the marina.

Inaugurating the function, the State Chief Minister, Mr Oommen Chandy, said the boat show was envisaged as a catalyst that would develop a new boating culture centred around leisure and recreational boating. It seeks to turn India as the nerve centre of the regional boating industry with Kochi as its hub.

The show, he said, has provided a big impetus to beach and backwater tourism in Kerala and has catalysed the water sports industry and significantly contributed to the increased flow of aqua tourism inclined holidayers into the State. Today, IIBS is playing a big role in the development of the country's boating and marine industry and the show is the best and only way to address the growing South Asian market, he said.

In tune with the rising trends, the Chief Minister said the Government had launched several initiatives to provide more fillip to the show.

The setting up of a 60-berth marina at an investment of Rs 40 crore in Kochi is one among them.

With the completion of the marina, Kochi will open up immense opportunities for boating activities in India. The marina will have facilities for mooring, maintenance of boats and yachts and recreation, he added.

Expressing satisfaction over the increasing participation for the show this year, the State Tourism Minister, Mr K.C. Venugopal, said that IIBS 2004 is focussing on boating as recreational alternatives rather than as a livelihood activity in India.

Well positioned as South Asia's definitive boat show, IIBS has today become a premier lifestyle event.

It has become a perfect platform for those in the marine and boating industry to discover more business opportunities, he said.

The show is being organised in association with Indian Tourism and India Trade Promotion Organisation with the support of partners such as Cochin Port Trust, Cochin Shipyard, Kerala Shipping and Inland Navigation Corporation.

International media partnership agreements have also been reached with leading boating and leisure magazines such as Asia Pacific Boating, IBI and World of Yachts and Boats.