UAE-based Gulf Craft, a major manufacturer of luxury yachts and fibreglass boats, has announced the sale of a passenger vessel, a Touring 36, to a buyer in the remote Polynesian country of Tonga.

Erwin Bamps, chief executive officer, Gulf Craft, said: “We are focused on globalisation and have been working hard to be present in far reaching places on the planet.”

“This sale demonstrates that we have achieved that and reinforces our overall strategy of building products for a global audience,” he said.

“Our company does not hesitate to sell boats thousands of miles away because we have full faith in our products’ reliability, durability, and seaworthiness,” he added.

“We’ve been in business for 35 years and during that time the company has grown exponentially. Reaching the South Pacific is a testament that our vessels can go anywhere.” Bamps said.

The remote archipelago of Tonga – population 107,000 – sits two-thirds of the way from New Zealand to Hawaii, more than 8,000 nautical miles from Gulf Craft’s base.

Its customer ordered a Touring 36, a versatile vessel which has been utilised as a small ferry, an ambulance, by coastguards and law enforcement agencies, and for leisure pursuits such as diving.

Toufic Hobeika handled the transaction. His dealership, Smart Own, has been involved with Gulf Craft for almost a decade.

Hobeika said: “It is a real joy to team up with Gulf Craft on the distribution and promotion of its utility series around the world. The company builds a wide and diverse product range that meets the clients’ requests and therefore offering something unique.”

“I’m especially proud to represent Gulf Craft in emerging economies, whether in Africa, Latin/Central America or Polynesia. It is spectacular that we already find proud owners of the world-famous Touring 36 in markets as far as Peru, Mexico and Aruba,” he stated.

“Gulf Craft’s strategy and commitment to its customer base differs from that of other companies – no stone is left unturned. Together, we are identifying more remote and niche markets where people don’t feel catered to. The kingdom of Tonga sale is the perfect example of that,” he added.

Bamps continued: “In any emerging market, when people buy boats, trucks, or cars, the primary purpose is to move people and goods from one place to another. It’s about fulfilling needs, not desires.”

“Recreational boating and yachting are becoming more established in South-east Asia, but in the early days the focus was on functionality. For us it’s not only about chic, glossy and top-end yachts – we are a company that brings people onto the water, transports them and gives them great enjoyment whether they are wealthy business men or fishermen,” he said.

“Even now, we still feel we’re pioneers in our industry, and we’ve never lost sight of our roots. The adventure we embarked upon 35 years ago continues every single day,” he concluded. – TradeArabia News Service