Thailand Yacht Show organizers push to make Thailand Asia’s marine hub

PHUKET: Organizers of the second edition of the Thailand Yacht Show (TYS) to be held December 15-18 at Phuket’s Ao Po Grand Marina aim to inject millions of dollars into the country’s economy as they steam ahead to make Thailand Asia’s marine hub of choice for superyacht owners and marine leisure enthusiasts.

Held in partnership with the Thai government, TYS gives visitors the chance to try out a wide range of world-class yachts, boats and on-water toys with a lively social program.

Sponsored by the Ministry of Tourism and Sports and the Tourism Authority of Thailand, in partnership with the Ministry of Transport and the Marine Department, December’s Thailand Yacht Show is set to welcome visitors from all over the region to view and try out a line-up of premier yachting, boating and luxury brands.

Following the success of the inaugural marine expo in February, many of the industry’s leading names are returning to Ao Po Grand Marina this December to show their support for Thailand’s new national boat show.

Managing Director of the Thailand Yacht Show Andy Treadwell joined Minister of Tourism & Sports Kobkarn Wattanavrangkul and TAT Deputy Governor Noppadon Pakprot in Bangkok yesterday to announce the latest developments ahead of December’s show and to re-confirm their commitment to make Thailand the marine hub of Asia.

The potential economic impact for Thailand as a result of improved marine infrastructure is vast. It is proven that yachting tourists spend far more than any other tourism sector. On average, superyacht owners will spend between US$1 million and US$2 million (B35.45mn – B70.9mn) in the country in which the yacht is based for a season.

Mrs Kobkarn said that the Government’s support is vital because of the huge potential of this industry to benefit all Thai citizens.

“We are confident that the yacht show will help boost Thailand’s tourism industry, which in turn will translate into direct economic benefits for related local businesses – driving job creation, while distributing sustainable income and improving local infrastructure too,” she said.

TAT Deputy Governor Noppadon said the Thailand Yacht Show will help boost the luxury tourism sector.

“Promoting marine tourism is one of our major goals for 2017 as part of the strategy to promote Thailand as a quality leisure destination. We expect the event will contribute to boost the number of yachts visiting Thailand to at least 2,500 yachts in 2017 to injects about B7,500 million into our economy and related businesses,” he said.

The Thailand Yacht Show is brought to you by the organizers of the Singapore Yacht Show, with the two complementary shows timed to book-end industry activity in the region. Singapore is the main business hub for Asia, attracting wealthy entrepreneurs from all over the region, but Thailand is the biggest and best yachting destination by far.

With its warm hospitality and endless, extraordinarily beautiful cruising grounds, Mr Treadwell believes that Thailand is the place where more and more boaters and yacht owners will comes to use their yachts and enjoy life.

“We want to make Thailand the yachting and boating capital of Asia, but also the preferred winter destination for the global superyacht fleet. There are 5,000 superyachts over 30 meters long in the world, and only 35 of them visited Thailand last winter. We want to be getting at least 200 of them coming here, and spending their dollars here instead of in the Caribbean, in the next two or three years”.

The inaugural show in February welcomed over 70 brands, 4,700 participants and more than 40 yachts and boats. The lineup for the second edition features more of the region’s premier yachting and luxury brands, from stylish superyachts to the latest launches, so there is something for everyone at the TYS 2016.

Visitors will have a chance to view and even try out boats and yachts presented by Lee Marine, Boat Lagoon Yachting, Simpson Marine, Asia Marine, Multihull Solutions, Hong Seh, Leopard Catamarans and Burgess Yachts, among many others.

Highlights include the return of the Norman Foster designed Ocean Emerald, a contemporary masterpiece that offers Michelin star on-board dining and a wealth of luxurious on-board facilities; the Sanlorenzo 46Steel superyacht Forwin with its stunning new refit, and the brand new Galeon 460 Flybridge, which will make make her Asian debut at the Show.

Ao Po Grand Marina has direct access to Phang Nga Bay so potential buyers can step on board and head out for a sea trial. The hugely popular catamaran HYPE will be hosting a series of morning cruises around the bay’s beautiful islands for those looking to venture out to enjoy some swimming and snorkelling before the show opens.

The popular Demonstration Platform will be there again for guests to try out a variety of on-water activities such as flyboards, seadoos, sailing boats and paddle-boards courtesy of show partner Java Yachting.