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The second edition of the Aranya - Westport GPO Yacht Exhibition came to a close on June 8, 2026. Behind this event lies more than a decade of cooperation between La Rochelle-based organizer Grand Pavois Organisation (GPO) and several Chinese local authorities committed to the development of the yachting industry.
A first experience in Shenzhen in 2009
The story begins in 2009, in the southern Chinese province of Guangdong. Grand Pavois Organisation took part in the co-organization of the Shenzhen International Boat Show alongside the Shenzhen Yubo Exhibition Group and Europexpo. For three successive editions, between 2009 and 2011, the team from La Rochelle contributed its expertise in several areas: international business development, nautical logistics, communications and exhibitor support.
The aim is to create a boat show capable of attracting major international brands, while helping to introduce yachting to an Asian clientele as yet unfamiliar with the sector.
At that time, many European manufacturers were among the exhibitors, alongside Chinese shipyards seeking to gain visibility in their domestic market.
China guest of honor at La Rochelle 2014
The cooperation reached a new level in 2014. That year, China became the guest of honor at the Grand Pavois de La Rochelle. The Chinese presence is organized around a dedicated pavilion highlighting the province of Liaoning and the port city of Dalian. The operation is part of the "Horizon Chine" program, developed with Charente Maritime to strengthen economic exchanges between the two countries.
Beyond the diplomatic dimension, the aim is also to present developments in the Chinese nautical industry and encourage contacts with French companies in the sector.
Qinhuangdao, a project launched before the pandemic
2019 marks a decisive turning point. At the Grand Pavois de La Rochelle, Grand Pavois Organisation signs an agreement with the Port of Hebei and the city of Qinhuangdao for a feasibility study to evaluate the creation of a major international sailing event in northern China.
The project already aims to make Qinhuangdao a leading nautical destination. The study will assess the available infrastructures, the potential of the local market and the conditions necessary for the creation of an international nautical event. The first event is scheduled for 2020.
However, the Covid 19 pandemic interrupted the initial schedule and delayed project implementation.
A mission that goes beyond boat shows
When cooperation resumed in 2024, its scope was considerably expanded. Grand Pavois Organisation signed a consultancy contract covering the period 2024 to 2025 to support the development of the Qinhuangdao nautical industry.
The mission includes :
- the development of yachting ;
- water sports ;
- port infrastructures ;
- marinas ;
- marine tourism ;
- international nautical events ;
- the region's economic and tourism positioning.
This development reflects a broader ambition on the part of the local authorities. The aim is no longer simply to organize a trade show, but to build a genuine nautical ecosystem.
Transforming an industrial port into a nautical destination
The city of Qinhuangdao is looking to evolve its development model. Historically focused on traditional port activities, the area is now looking to integrate more yachting, maritime tourism and sea-related leisure activities.
In this context, Grand Pavois Organisation acts as an international expert able to contribute the experience acquired over several decades at La Rochelle and in other nautical projects.
GPO's role is to support the development of infrastructures, events, the attractiveness of the region and relations with nautical professionals.
Aranya-Westport: partnership takes shape
This cooperation led to the creation of the China Qinhuangdao Aranya, Westport (Grand Pavois). A first edition is organized in July 2025 with the support of the Grand Pavois and the presence of a French delegation made up of yachting professionals, journalists and representatives of the Charente Maritime region.
The 2026 edition continued this momentum, with a new French delegation present in Qinhuangdao for the show's inauguration. The show brought together over 200 international brands, around a hundred units and thousands of visitors for a program combining boat shows, professional conferences, water sports and activities for the general public.
A partnership that reflects the evolution of global yachting
The story of Grand Pavois Organisation and China illustrates the evolution of the international yachting industry. While European markets are maturing, several Asian territories are seeking to develop their yachting infrastructures and maritime culture. In this context, the expertise accumulated by the organizers of major boat shows is becoming as much a territorial development tool as an event know-how.
In Qinhuangdao, the stakes today go far beyond the organization of a boat show. The local authorities are seeking to build a nautical destination capable of combining marinas, tourism, water sports and international events. And it is precisely in this field that the Grand Pavois is now seeking to export the experience it has acquired for over fifty years on the pontoons of La Rochelle.
