Sunseeker unveils big ME plans

Sunseeker Middle East will build an operations network across the Gulf and into Lebanon as part of a dynamic expansion plan to boost sales and establish itself as the regional market leader for luxury motor yachts over the next three years.

Having weathered the global financial crisis, the Dubai-based company, a division of the Ilyas and Mustafa Galadari Group, said giving the Sunseeker brand a permanent presence in Saudi Arabia, other Gulf countries and Lebanon was its top priority.

“We are well established as a major player in the Middle East but we now have plans in place to make Sunseeker the clear market leader,” said Francesco Pitea, the company’s recently-appointed general manager.

"We are looking at a number of options, including establishing sub-dealerships and opening our own offices in other countries around the region, in order to take the brand closer to our customers there and have the facilities on their doorstep to deliver world-class service," he noted.

“We have adopted a much more aggressive marketing approach and we’re confident that this, added to a stronger regional presence, will allow us to increase our sales significantly over the next three years.”

Sunseeker Middle East has represented the world-famous Sunseeker brand in the region for more than four years.

Pitea, who has more than 10 years experience in the marine sector, has been busily formulating the expansion plans from the company’s new headquarters in Emaar Business Park, Sheikh Zayed Road, Dubai.

“While there was an overall slowdown of sales in the market, we actually experienced an increase in demand for Sunseeker yachts of 70ft and above,” said Pitea. “It showed that people who want to invest in a luxury motor yacht will always find the money to buy quality,” he added.

“This market is still relatively young and it has huge potential. There are a lot of developments with marinas taking shape and this will encourage more people attracted by the luxury lifestyle to buy yachts,” he noted.

Pitea expects major interest in Sunseeker’s new 30 meter yacht, one of several craft due to be seen in the Middle East for the first time next year, as well as for the current top seller, the Manhattan 70.-