Following its acquisition by US publishing giant Trader Publishing last year, the world's leading boating web site, Boats.com, has commenced a substantial expansion programme to develop its business globally. With a growing marine industry focus in Asia the company has appointed James Georgechen, who is based in Southern China, to represent its boats.com and Yachtworld.com brands in the region. Over the past 5 years the sites have achieved the major market share in USA and more recently in UK and Europe, offering comprehensive listings of new and brokerage boats, together with extensive information for the leisure boater.

James Georgechen began his marine career working as head of sales for a leading yacht builder in southern China and for over 4 years has taken an active part in the design, construction and marketing of yachts, marine products and services in the area. As Boat.coms' Asian representative, James will work closely with local yacht builders, dealers and marine manufacturers to assist them in getting the best out of international Internet marketing. Being able to research new and used boats online, comparing prices and specifications provides the boat buyer a virtual online boat show, while the boat seller has the widest possible market for his product. Boats.com and Yachtworld.com boast the largest number of visitors of any marine web site in the world.

To further develop business in the region Boats.com will exhibit for the first time at the China International Boat Show in Shanghai from the 8th to the 11th of April where James will be joined by Boats.com managing Director, Ian Atkins. Ian commented "This is an exciting opportunity for us to develop in a market which is enjoying rapid expansion and economic growth. We will be meeting not only new Chinese builders but existing US and European builders who are opening yards in the area to take advantage of lower costs and growing markets. On Sunday 10th April I will also be participating in a seminar during which I will be discussing new ways in which boat builders and dealers can harness the power of the Internet to promote their products online."

To compliment this expansion, Boats.com has also appointed a highly experienced yachtsman, Ian Thomson, as its representative for Australia, New Zealand and the South Pacific Islands. Ian has owned his own yacht brokerage in Australia for some years so can talk from practical experience on how Boats.com can improve sales and grow the market. Australia has a healthy boat building industry and a high ratio of boat ownership creating a robust boat sales market. Ian Thomson is confident that the introduction of Boats.com and Yachtworld.com to Australia will offer boat dealers and builders the perfect market place for a country with such a large geographical population spread.

Recent announcements of expansion in Europe underlines the company's confidence in the market and intention of maintaining and extending its role as the most influential marine site on the web.