Boot Düsseldorf has been canceled due to the spread of the Omicron variant of COVID-19, organizers have confirmed.
The news seemed inevitable in light of an announcement by the German government earlier this month canceling all events taking place with over 750 visitors until the end of January.
Wolfram N. Diener, CEO of Messe Düsseldorf, the trade fair ground where the event is held, said: “It is with a heavy heart that we have to say goodbye to holding boot in January 2022. However, the decision of the state government is also in line with the wishes of many exhibitors who are very worried about participating in boot during the Omicron wave. I ask all those involved for their understanding and support so that we can get back to work together in full force in 2023.”
Düsseldorf's Lord Mayor, Dr Stephan Keller, also supported the decision: "Of course we had hoped that the pandemic situation in January would allow the boot to be held under strict hygiene conditions” he said. “But in the end, it is only consistent to do without large public fairs such as boot in order to contain the spread of the Omicron variant. Even before the country's ban, I agreed with the management of Messe Düsseldorf not to take an unjustifiable risk and to cancel boot if necessary."
The show was due to take place from 22 January to 30 January 2022 and has now been canceled for a second consecutive year. The event attracted over 250,000 visitors when it was last held in January 2020.
The next boot Düsseldorf will open its doors again from 21 to 29 January 2023.
Boot Düsseldorf is the world’s biggest indoor boat show, with around 2,000 exhibitors occupying over 220,00 square meters of exhibition space across 17 exhibition halls at Messe Düsseldorf.
To find out more about the show read our guide to Boot Düsseldorf.
One of the most popular spaces at boot Düsseldorf is the halls housing the superyachts. Whilst the event might not be taking place this year, you can still get a taste for what would have been on show by viewing all new and used superyachts for sale.
