, a five per cent drop on 2009's total of 57,000 visitors.

2009's event registered a 14 per cent drop in visitors on the year before. The 2010 event attracted 400 exhibitors compared to 468 in 2009.

2010 marked the 33rd edition of the Cannes show, which ran from September 8-13 on France's Mediterranean coast.

The show featured 500 boats in-water and 169 boats over 20m (67ft). A total of 139 new models and world premieres were on display at the event.

Organisers French marine industry federation FIN and Reed Expositions said that Cannes opened the boat show season on an optimistic note.

"The shipyards took up the challenge and succeeded in demonstrating creativity, ingenuity and extraordinary drive so as to be able to offer new products," said show manager Eric de Saintdo in a statement.

Exhibitors canvassed by IBI during the opening two days of the show were indeed optimistic, but expected nothing like the sales levels of two or three years ago. A full show report will feature in October's edition of IBI.

The next edition of Cannes International Boat and Yacht Show will run from September 7-12, 2011.