Azimut Yachts is claiming to have tripled its order portfolio in the UAE, while sister company Benetti Yachts says sales in the region have grown from 8% to 20% of total sales with three megayachts sold in the past 12 months.

The Italian boatbuilder is currently displaying 16 boats at this year’s Dubai International Boat Show, which kicked off last week.

According to the company, headed and owned by Paolo Vitelli, the UAE and the Middle East have expressed the capacity of economic recovery that is more significant than in the Group’s other traditional markets.

“In this regard, it’s worth noting that in this very area, Azimut Yachts has nearly tripled its order portfolio in the last six months, while for Benetti, which operates in a sector where sales are distributed over greater time spans, the Middle East market today represents about 20% of total sales, versus 8% just two years ago,” read a company statement.

At the Dubai International Boat Show Benetti Yachts are exhibiting its Tradition 100; Azimut Yachts is represented by 11 models, and four Atlantis Sportcruisers representing all three yacht production divisions of the Group. Azimut|Benetti Group is represented in Malta by Esprit Yachting Ltd.