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Introduction to boating development in North China
The development of China's yachting industry remains unevenly distributed across the country. Historically concentrated in the south, the sector is now seeking to establish itself further north, particularly around major urban areas. Against this backdrop, the growing importance of structuring nautical events appears to be a key lever for federating players and attracting local and international clientele.
A second edition structured around two distinct sites
Visit Aranya-Westport (Grand Pavois) International Yacht Exhibition will be held in two phases in 2026, with the first sequence in Aranya from Friday May 29 to Monday June 1, and the second in Westport Qinhuangdao from Friday June 5 to Monday June 8, 2026. The event is organized by the Hebei Port Group, and for the second year is supported by a partnership with Grand Pavois Organisation.
The two locations were chosen for different reasons. Aranya, a seaside resort, targets a residential clientele with high purchasing power. Westport, a renovated district of Qinhuangdao, benefits from a strong tourist flow, with several million visitors a year. This dual location enables us to combine static exhibits with urban settings.
An afloat show with a comprehensive offering for the Chinese market
The event will feature around 100 boats, both afloat and afloat, and over 200 brands. The program also includes 500 invited potential buyers and 200 VIPs, with an estimated 30,000 visitors. The offer covers the entire nautical chain: pleasure craft, equipment, water sports and marine technologies.
The organizers are emphasizing sea trials and initiations, elements still in development on the Chinese market. Targeted meetings, private appointments and side events, such as a gala dinner attended by some 200 guests, complete the program. Innovations are also on display, notably in low-altitude aerial mobility, a sign of the company's openness to other segments.
Qinhuangdao, an area undergoing nautical structuring
Located some 300 kilometers from Beijing, Qinhuangdao has direct access to the Bohai Sea. The city is looking to attract some of the capital's tens of millions of visitors. The development of nautical infrastructures, in particular marinas, is part of a broader strategy aimed at structuring a local ecosystem.
The organization of events such as this show helps to enhance the value of existing facilities and make the region more attractive to professionals. The aim is to create a point of entry for the North China yachting industry, complementing the historical hubs in the south, such as Shenzhen and Hainan. This will also involve the development of associated services: training, distribution, maintenance and tourism related to yachting.
A continuing partnership for Grand Pavois
Grand Pavois Organisation continues its involvement following a market study carried out between 2024 and 2025, and an initial collaboration in 2025. The organizer from La Rochelle brings its experience of afloat boat shows to the table, with an approach focused on usage and testing.
Alain Pochon adds: " It is a great pleasure and honor for Grand Pavois Organisation to continue our collaboration with the Port of Hebei and the city of Qinhuangdao. After the market study carried out in 2024/2025, the sponsorship of the first edition of the show in 2025, we are pleased to sponsor the second edition of the Aranya-Westport (Grand Pavois) International Yacht Exhibition 2026, which is gaining momentum. "
This partnership is part of a strategy to export French expertise in nautical events, with a clear objective: to support the structuring of a growing market while adapting formats to local specificities.
