Superyacht Rendezvous returns with vigor

PHUKET: The Asia Superyacht Rendezvous will once again celebrate Luxury Yachting at the award-winning Kata Rocks Resort Phuket on December 16 through 18.

“We are proud to be a part of such an amazing event. Sitting pool-side at Kata Rocks, overlooking the magnificent superyachts that attend the event each year is a beautiful sight,” said Scot Toon, general manager of Kata Rocks Resort.

This year, attendance has been confirmed by S/Y Lamima, S/Y Sunshine, S/Y Lady Thuraya, M/Y Samax, M/Y Vie San Soucis, S/Y Bliss, S/Y Aventure, M/Y After 8 and M/Y Antares.

The Rendezvous is all about festivities and a highlight to the busy Christmas period in Phuket. However, there is also a serious side to the event, promoting Phuket as a yacht industry hub for the best interests of the local community.

The Rendezvous aims to assist in making luxury yacht visits to Phuket stress free, transparent and administratively consistent, so that the sailing community considers Phuket as a long-term base and viable alternative to other locations. The proposed new charter licence is a pivotal factor in the potential growth of the yacht industry in Phuket.

“A luxury yacht hub is one of the many industry spokes connected to the wheels of regional economic development that can propel a country to further success and offer opportunities to its citizens,” said Andrew Davies, event and business development manager for Asia Superyacht Rendezvous.

“We need to expand the yacht market here in Phuket and ensure it remains a sustainable sector with consistent residual growth, and the only way to do that is administrative consistency, cooperation and long-term projected thinking by all parties concerned – particularly by the key decision makers.

“The instigation of duty-free status and curtailment of prohibitive levies and charges would certainly help yachts flock here, as Phuket is in the perfect position to attract them.”

The Rendezvous aims to give the ultra-luxury sector of the tourism market a formidable and unshakable presence in Phuket.

“The chartering potential here is enormous. With the diversity of the cruising grounds, steady and relatively calm weather patterns and stunning natural scenery, Phuket is a charter client’s dream,” said Captain Will Bagshaw of M/Y Titania who attended the Rendezvous in 2014.

Event organizers Charlie Dwyer and Gordon Fernandes are true luxury yacht lifestyle evangelists, introducing the pleasures of cruising to the Asian market, with Charlie being an ex-America’s Cup participant who has been sailing for more than 45 years.

“The Rendezvous is more than three days by the sea. It’s a way of life, an ethos, a passion – it’s where you can live your dreams,” said Mr Davies.