INNOVATION JUNE 2016 71 The American leisure boat market is a 35 billion dollar business that comprises the sales of boats, motors, and accessories. “This year’s boat fairs in Fort Lauderdale and Miami in Florida as well as the Boat Show in California’s L.A. were very lucrative for us,” says Rudolf Thaler, the Austrian Trade Commissioner in Los Angeles. The National Marine Manufacturers Association announced that the Miami International Boat Show 2016 was the best trade fair in years, with a 4 percent growth to more than 100,000 visitors and a 20 percent increase in sales for its exhibitors. The Miami boat event is one of the world’s biggest boat fairs, with 1,200 boats ashore and 400 more on the water. But also the L.A. Boat Show in early March had 11 percent more visitors than in the previous year. The mood at the fair was optimistic. In the light of the good start of 2016, due to low fuel prices, low interest rates, and new models, this year is expected to become better than the previous year. Luxury and ever-stronger outboard motors as well as customisation are in high demand. “The gateway to the competitive American boat market is innovation. This is how Austrian suppliers can get on the radars of renowned dealers. To sustainably work the market, it is a decisive factor for success to be at the important boat shows, either in person or with representatives,” says Thaler about the extremely positive situation. Several Austrian companies are already operating successfully in this sector.
NEW BUSINESS - EXPORT TODAY 1/2016
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