Coastal Security Puts the Brakes on the Potential of Boating in India

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9 February 2009 No Comment

Sujay Chohan, Director, Mumbai International Boat Show gets candid about the upcoming MIBS ’09 being a ‘trimmed back and somewhat subdued’ affair. The fact that the Boat Show is happening at all is incredible, he says, referring to the terror attacks and the global financial meltdown. As Chohan explains: ‘Because the terrorist group came via the sea route from Pakistan, there was a knee-jerk reaction by the government and police and there’s now a 6pm curfew on boats which have to be moored by sundown. If they’re not, Police have powers to intercept them.’ For a country of rising affluence, dipping its toe into recreational boating and the marine lifestyle, and from whom so much is expected, there are several other challenges says Chohan.

‘Many events have been cancelled,’ he continues. ‘The mood in Mumbai is certainly one of increased security. The hotels are reopened and it’s back to normal in terms of pedestrian and vehicular traffic around the areas that were affected. But it will take some time for the scars to heal.’

Those areas – namely the Taj Mahal Hotel, which is immediately opposite the SMIBS venue – are now the sites of intense security from a newly formed homeland security organization, charged with taking control of infrastructure and reacting to any future threats. The same on the water.
‘All boats under 15 tons must be registered with the police and authorities. It is certainly impacting on people’s interest in boating and will take some lobbying from the boating community. The same thing happened in New York after September 11, until the super-yacht fraternity intervened and pointed out that it was impeding tourism revenue.’

To address these issues and many more, Mumbai will be hosting a conference to coincide with the SMIBS, covering coastal security and the potential of the industry.

‘India is a potentially massive market. The economy is growing at 7.5% per annum and 50% of the population is aged under 25. We have 7600km of coastline, ready and waiting to be tapped, and waterways, lakes and rivers. Culturally, we are a seafaring nation. We have a history of exposure to the British and Portuguese ways of life. After independence, self-reliance was the focus and now, our lifestyles are changing and it is becoming more a case of self-indulgence.’ Boating is in a prime position to take advantage of this trend.

‘Today in India there are very few leisure outlets for the whole family. But if you have a boat, you can escape the city, visit a holiday home, pursue an active, outdoor lifestyle.’

The show has been granted an official ‘Calendar Event’ status by the State Government (Government of Maharashtra) and is backed with the full support of the State Tourism Department (Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation), the Indian Navy, the Mumbai Port Trust and the Yachting Association of India. With over 150 exhibitors at the SMIBS 2008, everything from small single man kayaks to super yachts were showcased. Post the show, business worth US$100 million was recorded through a survey of exhibitors.

According to Chohan, exhibitors are mainly coming from the US and Europe – around 80 major marine brands as well as local dealers and accessory retailers. Last year, there were 15,000 visitors over the three days. Chohan hopes that an increased investment in a media campaign to push the show in other parts of India will attract around 10,000 visitors this year.

‘95% of visitors will be Indian of high net worth. There are a lot of expats returning to India as well, and for them, the boating lifestyle is highly desirable.’