The Queen Elizabeth 2 liner is berthed at Mina Rashid Marina
The joint organisers of the International Superyacht Summit (ISS), Dubai-based P&O Marinas and Fabulous Yachts, have confirmed that the event will proceed in Dubai on the 8th and 9th of December this year. The venue is the Queens Room aboard the iconic Queen Elizabeth 2 liner now operational as a hotel and conference venue berthed in the heart of Dubai at Mina Rashid Marina.
Restrictions on travel to the UAE have eased considerably and the rate of Covid infections in the UAE has dropped to a low level, allowing international visitors from most parts of the world to attend.
Dr Fabiana Maccarini, one of the ISS organisers, spoke with IBI’s Middle East Correspondent at the recent World Marinas Conference in Dubai. “There have been positive regional developments for us to share and discuss in the 2021 edition,” Maccarini said. “A yachting destination cannot be a single port or marina. It is necessary to build a yachting ‘ecosystem’ of marinas, cities and regions, able to offer a varying range of activities. This, enhanced by a collaborative strategy, will develop the region into a satisfying cruise haven, to acknowledge the wider scope of this summit; the name has been changed to the International Superyacht Summit.
“Under the patronage of P&O Marinas and initiated and co-organised by Fabulous Yachts, the focus of the International Superyacht Summit has, up to now, been the development of the UAE as a preferred winter destination for superyachts on the migratory trail,” he said. “This year we look further afield and encourage the industry to take a collaborator approach throughout the region. The 2021 edition of The International Superyacht Summit will introduce two new themes; Firstly, how superyacht marina developments empower lifestyle and tourism and the role of the upscale yachting industry in new and consolidated tourist destinations.
“The second new theme is the emerging trends in superyacht ownership and how builders can accommodate the needs of an ever-younger generation of owners and charterers. Central to this trend is also the growing environmental awareness of these younger generations and the higher intolerance of unsustainable practices.
The speaker list for the summit includes local personalities Mohammed Al Muallem, executive vice president of Dubai Ports World, Captain Saif Al Mheiri, managing director of Abu Dhabi Maritime, and Abeer Al Shaali, deputy managing director of Gulf Craft, the local superyacht builder that recently completed the world’s largest composite production superyacht, the 175’ Majesty.
Hamza Mustafa, COO of P&O Marinas, which is sponsoring the event, will also be a speaker together with Issam Kazim, CEO of Dubai Tourism.
Overseas speakers include Paris Baloumis, group marketing director of Oceanco, Paolo Cassani, group CEO of Camper & Nicholsons, Alberto Galassi, CEO of the Ferretti Group, and Farouk Nefzi, marketing and brand director of Feadship.
