Boot Düsseldorf concluded with fewer visitors than last year, but also with a positive outcome

The world’s largest boat and watersports show, boot Düsseldorf, drew to a close on Sunday, having welcomed around 214,000 visitors during its nine-day run. This compares with nearly 237,000 visitors in 2023. Nevertheless, event organiser Messe Düsseldorf says exhibitors were more than pleased with the results of this year’s show, with most reporting good sales, positive discussions, and new international customer contacts.

“We had many new contacts at our stands and were able to conclude numerous deals. The right visitors ensured very good sales figures in the boat sector as well as for motors/engines, boards, diving equipment and accessories. boot 2024 provided the perfect start to the season”, says exhibitor spokesperson and trade fair president Robert Marx.

Despite difficult conditions – from the arrival of winter weather to strikes – Messe Düsseldorf CEO and president Wolfram Diener is pleased with the outcome of the show.

“With 214,000 visitors from 120 countries, we have achieved a good result and can be more than satisfied in these challenging times. Customers and exhibitors have a unique platform for networking here. It’s great, we were once again able to underpin boot Düsseldorf’s leading position with an inspiring business atmosphere in the exhibition halls. I wish our exhibitors a good business year 2024.”

According to Messe Düsseldorf, boot 2024 succeeded in increasing both its proportion of trade visitors (from 18% to over 21%) as well as the internationality of its customers (from 23.7 to 34.3%) and it is the only water sports fair in the world that attracts people from all continents. The majority of visitors were interested in sailing yachts (42%), followed by powerboats (38.2%), diving (27%), charter (11.7%) and surfing (9.8%). However, boating apparel and travel were also in high demand at boot and proved very popular with 25.7% (boat wear) and 19.4% (nautical tourism).