
Visitor numbers to Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show were slightly up on last year, with organisers and exhibitors buoyed by returning confidence in the marine industry.
Organisers say that a total of 37,571 visitors attended the four-day event which ran from May 23 to 26, a 1.29 per cent increase on last year’s overall numbers.
The biggest crowds through the gates were on Sunday, with 11,218 visitors enjoying the sunshine on the last day of the Show. This was also an eight per cent increase on last year’s Sunday visitors.
Showers and cooler temperatures failed to keep visitors away on the Friday of Boat Show. The Show’s second day recorded second-biggest numbers with more than 8000 visitors through the gates.
SCIBS sales, events and sponsorship manager Johan Hasser said the team was happy with the turnout over the four-day event.
Mr Hasser said the success of this year’s event was a sign confidence was returning to the marine industry and had cemented its popularity as a major event on the Gold Coast calendar.
He said the SCIBS dates had now been set for the next two years and in 2014, SCIBS will run from Thursday, May 22 to Sunday, May 25.
"Following on from the success of this year, we’re hoping that confidence will only continue to build," said Mr Hasser.
A total of 327 exhibitors were on show this year, with 127 boats on water.