The 3rd Qingdao International Yacht & Angling Exhibition and High-Quality Industrial Development Conference will be held in Qingdao from July 24 to 26. With yacht enterprises backed by JD settling locally, Qingdao’s yacht industry is advancing on two fronts: global manufacturing exports and cultural tourism consumption, entering a prime phase of growth.
Qingdao hosts more than 40 manufacturers of recreational vessels, with an annual output of over 20,000 yachts. Laixi, an inland district, accommodates over 10 boatbuilders that produce 10,000 yachts each year, accounting for half of the city’s total output and roughly 3% of China’s yacht export volume. Local shipyards have achieved notable progress in international layout. Lewanda Yacht’s order book stretches to year-end, with products shipped to Malaysia. Zhenbo Yacht specializes in mid-to-high-end GRP (fiberglass-reinforced plastic) boats, splitting its order volume equally between domestic and overseas markets, with exports reaching more than 20 countries including Japan, South Korea, Italy and Russia. Xinguang Yacht operates a production base in Myanmar and a sales hub in Canada, its small yachts gaining wide popularity across Europe, the Middle East and Southeast Asia.
A dual-drive model of “manufacturing plus tourism” has taken shape for cultural tourism. Over 1,000 yachts are registered in Qingdao. Centered on the Olympic Sailing Center, themed routes such as bay cruises and sunset sailing services are available. The city currently has 2,800 marina berths, with plans to expand the number to 7,300 by 2050 through developing eight marina clusters and 13 launching sites to lower barriers for public boating experiences. More than one million people take part in sea angling in Qingdao annually, and 500,000 fishing enthusiasts fuel mass yacht consumption. Yacht excursions, offshore wedding shoots and recreational angling have become popular marine tourism offerings.
Policies continue to underpin industrial growth. The *Qingdao Yacht Rental Administration Measures*, enacted in 2024, standardize the market. Multiple national authorities have issued documents supporting Qingdao in building demonstration projects for public yachting. Industry insiders note that Qingdao will further upgrade marina infrastructure, develop new-energy vessels, and create a closed-loop service chain covering “experience – training – consumption”. Leveraging its coastal resources and foreign trade strengths, the city aims to build an internationally competitive northern hub for yacht culture and tourism.
Editor: Li Deyin/ Wang Yulin
