Coronavirus sweeps boat show circuit, but not in Australia
Several key international boat shows have bumped their dates due to the coronavirus threat, but Australia holds firmThe coronavirus threat has forced organisers behind this month’s 2020 Singapore Yacht Show to postpone the event in favour of running it later in the year.
The four-day show was meant to open on March 19. However, organisers have announced it will now seek an alternative date in October after raising concerns that the coronavirus outbreak would hit attendance numbers hard.
“In view of the continuing coronavirus situation and the likely effect it would have on attendance and participation in the Singapore Yacht Show scheduled for 19-22 March, we sought the opinion of our major exhibitors and partners as to whether they thought we should postpone the event to later in the year,” Singapore Yacht Show chief executive Andy Treadwell said in a statement posted on the show’s website.
“The overwhelming response was that we should indeed do so, preferably to a date in either May or October, and our own assessment of our social responsibility only served to affirm that decision.”
However, concerns that likely travel bans and growing coronavirus fears would not have “eased sufficiently” by May pushed show organisers into aiming for an October staging.
The show organisers’ decision also comes in the wake of Singapore’s Health Ministry escalating its disease outbreak response level.
Likewise, the 2020 Dubai International Boat Show has abandoned its show slated for March in favour of a new November date and a new venue.
“Whilst the UAE remains completely safe for travel, and has deployed the strictest medical and hygiene protocols, we fully recognise that for some specific shows, we have a high majority of key participants significant to the event’s programme that are unable to travel due to restrictions in their home country,” organisers said.
“As such, we have been working closely to assure that our clients’ needs are most effectively addressed, and the delivery of strong international participation considered, in these extraordinary times.”
The Shanghai-based 2020 China International Boat Show has moved to a new date, bumping to late June instead of its usual April timeslot.
In Australia, both the 2020 Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show, held in May, and the 2020 Sydney International Boat Show planned for early August– both are regarded as premier events on Australia’s boat show circuit – have not wavered from their show dates.
Tickets for the 2020 Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show officially went on sale this week.
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