Türkiye’s Bosphorus Boat Show draws record 41,000 visitors
Visitors explore luxury vessels at the Bosphorus Boat Show in Istanbul, where more than 300 boats were displayed during the week-long exhibition that attracted 41,000 maritime enthusiasts on 22 February, 2025. (Photo via YATED)
The Bosphorus Boat Show, Türkiye’s largest and the world’s second-largest land-based maritime exhibition attracted nearly 41,000 visitors during its weeklong run from Feb. 15 to Feb. 22, establishing itself as the maritime sector’s most significant gathering of 2025.
The event, organized by YATED Fuarcilik A.S. in strategic partnership with ED Fuarcilik, showcased more than 300 vessels ranging from motor yachts and catamarans to sailboats and fishing boats. Over 200 companies representing 500 brands displayed more than 1,500 product varieties, including marine engines, inflatable boats, and various boat equipment.
“We aim to expand our exhibition further starting next year,” said Murat Bekiroglu, Chairman of the Yacht and Boat Industry Association (YATED). “We’ve secured a favorable five-year agreement with Istanbul Fair Center management for eight exhibition halls.”
More than half of vessels in Bosphorus Boat Show are domestically produced
A notable shift in this year’s exhibition was the increased presence of domestic manufacturers, who produced 50% of the vessels on display. The show featured watercraft for every budget, reflecting the growing diversity of Türkiye’s maritime industry.
“Land-based boat shows have historically been dominated by importers,” Bekiroglu said. “However, this year we saw a significant increase in the participation of local producers. We will continue to promote domestically manufactured boats in the international arena and provide full support to make our local companies more visible in the global market.”
The organizers also contributed to maritime culture development by hosting 11 different events during the show. They provided free booth space to maritime associations and vocational schools, allowing these organizations to promote their activities.
“We hosted representatives from well-known foreign media organizations in the yacht and boat industry, contributing to the promotion of our exhibition and particularly our local manufacturers,” Bekiroglu added. “By growing each year and creating more space for domestic producers, we aim to make the Bosphorus Boat Show one of the world’s most prestigious maritime exhibitions.”
