Expanding boat shows

Despite my earlier posting about the new luxury tax, the Shanghai Boat Show continues to expand. We see that there will be an expansion of the French presence this year.

I wish them well and am sure there is an interesting market in the future for events like this. However, they seem to be more prone to wishful thinking than others just now: "With its 10% a year economic growth rate, and with an average income coming close to the higher bracket of European incomes, China has a considerable potential for development, which makes it a genuine market for the future".

Market of the future: yes.

Average income coming close the higher bracket of European incomes: come on guys. Nowhere close. It goes on "According to Forbes Magazine, the number of billionaires trebled in 2005". Maybe - although there are still fewer than 10 of them in China itself. And how many billionaires come to boat shows?

There are substantially more boats sold every year in Hong Kong than in the rest of China put together. But, it has to be said, there are several fairs, and this one in particular, that seem to thrive on the market of the future story. Good luck to them.