Floating Boat Show opens today

The 17th Floating Boat Show opens to the public today at the Moll Vell and it is bigger and better than ever, say the organisers. The fair was presented to the media yesterday by deputy chief minister Pere Sampol who is also president of Fires i Congressos, and Mateu Crespi, the director general of the organisation. The fair is sponsored by Ibatur with the support of the Port Authority. Exhibits are to be seen on land and on sea, with more than 560 exhibitors, 250 berths for boats from five to 40 metres and 3'600 makes from 25 countries. This year there is room for megayachts and there are new accesses to the exhibition area, nearer to the car parks. Ten per cent of the visitors will be foreigners, the organisers said. Last year, the Floating Boat Show, which is open from 10am to 8pm, generated business of 2'500 million pesetas and attracted more than 50'000 visitors.