It is not just spring that is early this year! Well before Easter, the Hiswa te Water organisation recorded more registrations than ever for the 2024 edition. The Boatshow will be held from 28 August to 1 September in Lelystad’s Bataviahaven and is already sold out in some segments. Sales manager Alex Hoeve: “At our country’s biggest boatshow, it’s not just about having lots of boats, we want to bring greater diversity in the water and on the shore this year. Visitors nowadays also want to get to know the company behind the boats and that is why we welcome more exhibitors than before. Partly for this reason, we have also segmented the Boatshow even more clearly for ‘24. ‘’
Exhibition Director, Arjen Rahusen, stresses that with over 430 boats, the Bataviahaven has reached the limits of growth at this moment. ”This year, by popular demand, we have created a separate jetty in the harbour mouth where exhibitors – if conditions allow – can test – sail daily after 5pm with serious potential buyers. We are proud to have the very best of Dutch yacht building moored on the Boulevard. You will find not only many high-end steel motor yachts, but also the most beautiful and largest foreign build yachts. The sailboat segment has been expanded with appealing new names and, in addition, all well-known top brands from home and abroad are represented at the Bataviahaven. Furthermore, this year we have created a special section in the port for XXL dayboats and weekenders.”
The contract with last year’s catering partner Maison van den Boer has been continued and the organisation is happy with new clothing sponsor Gill. There will also be a new, large terrace next to the VIP entrance. You can also enjoy culinary delights from snacks and sandwiches to some refined culinary delights at various other places. Still, most visitors will travel to Lelystad especially for the boats and the nautical activities.
The Boatshow attracted significantly more foreign visitors last year. They often come to Lelystad in a targeted way because the Dutch market is very well regarded internationally. This international trend will undoubtedly continue this year.
On 27 August, the day before the opening, there will be a preview evening as last year for all nominees for the ‘Boat of the Year Innovation Awards’. That is when the oeuvre award, the start-up award and the innovation awards in the categories sailing yachts, motorboats and sloops & tenders will be presented. Companies wishing to nominate their boat can still register their boat until 1 July register their boat via info@bootvanhetjaar.nu
Even for people who already own a boat, the Boatshow is worth attending. Rahusen continues ‘’ In Lelystad, water sports enthusiasts are spoilt for choice with an unrivalled range of the best available on the Western European market. I like to compare it to a visit to the Rijksmuseum. As an enthusiast, you go there to see beautiful objects and not necessarily to buy them! If you like beautiful boats, you will be delighted here in Lelystad Bataviahaven.’’
Photo: Vanquish Yachts will be present with VQ45 & VQ58
