Northeast Asia and, in particular, South Korea is rapidly emerging as a new focal point of the global economy, and Gyeonggi Province, host of the new Korean International Boat Show, is at the heart of it all.

The West Coast of the Gyeonggi Province offers vast and immediate development potential with a coastline that stretches over 350km and a huge inland tidal lake area it provides an ideal foundation for marine recreation and tourism. The area serves the greater Seoul conurbation, over 22m people, increasingly cash and time rich and hungry for new recreational opportunities.

The Gyeonggi provincial government has determined it will become the marine industry and tourism hub of Northeast Asia, says Coventry. It has already commenced the development of a large-scale composite marine leisure complex comprised of a Marine Leisure Zone, an Eco-Tourism Zone, and a Theme Tourism Zone. The Marine Leisure Zone is the centre for the development of four large scale marinas and leisure boating through a development program into which US$232m will be invested. The first of these developments at Jeongok is under way and is the site for the boat show.

The Korea International Boat Show 2008 will be held in Jeongok from June 11 to 15. It will be organised as a show combined with a festival of boating activity to attract interest and attendance by the public. This will include a round of the World Match Racing Tour Cup 2008 between June 10 to 14, powerboat racing and features on water displays to showcase the active leisure marine sectors.

As an integral part of the programme there will be a conference for the international leisure marine industry to provide an introduction key data and contacts for the market opportunity.

During the Collins Stewart London Boat Show at ExCeL the BMF is hosting a delegation from Gyeonggi Province led by the governor, Kim Moon-soo.

‘In the current global climate of shrinking trade, this is a unique opportunity for the UK marine leisure industry to become involved in an entirely new and untapped market,’ said Coventry. ‘We are fortunate that the BMF is the lead partner in this venture with effectively an inside track. It may be difficult for some to commit to exhibit at such short notice, but it would be a huge and irreversible mistake not to visit the 2008 Korean Boat Show, participate in the conference and be in at the start of this amazing venture.’

On Thursday January 17, 2008 in Room 29 South Gallery at 17.30 there will be a short presentation to provide those who may be interested to exhibit or visit this new show with key information and to put them in touch with the sales and coordination team based in the UK.

This is an open-to-all event; just turn up.

Further information from Tim Coventry on 07768 317244 or email at twcov@aol.com