The inaugural edition of the Thailand Yacht Show (TYS) was blessed many times over. When the Show closed its doors to the traditional salute from all the yachts present, it was after four days of uninterrupted blue skies and sunshine that made for optimum boat show conditions.
Another blessing came from Ao Po Grand Marina, which set the scene and provided the perfect location. Coupled with strong Government support it all allowed for an impressive, 43-boat congregation, with vessels ranging from 73m to 13m, making this definitely the ‘big boat’ show for the region.
And all this in just a little over three months – a remarkable achievement, sparked by the announcement at the end of last year that charter regulations in Thailand are to be relaxed. This is intended to have the effect of stimulating the superyacht charter industry in Thailand, establishing Asia as the ‘Third Destination’ for superyacht owners and charterers after the Mediterranean and the Caribbean.
Out of the water, TYS included an air-conditioned pavilion of a further 40-odd exhibitors ranging from marinas and regattas to chandlers to upholsterers. During four days, 4,668 registrations were recorded, although some experienced ‘eyes’ on the dock put the figure much higher – noting that many visitors re-entered the Show on multiple days.
Eric Noyel of Asia Marine Yacht Services said, “This location is excellent – there is room for the Show to grow. We are happy to see big boats here; it’s a sign of things to come. Visitor numbers were moderate, but that is to be expected at a first show. Quality visitors are more important than quantity, and that’s what we have been seeing.”
Major yacht brokers Burgess Yachts, who handle some of the very biggest superyachts and most prestigious charter parties in the world, were delighted with the potential business generated by visitors, reporting ‘quality’ inquiries for charter.
Mike Simpson of Simpson Marine, another high profile regional dealer and charter broker, said, “We are delighted to see big names and big boats here – this is the first time that they have been able to get into a boat show in Phuket, which is the natural first port of call for superyachts arriving in Asia.”
“This show is the shape of things to come – and they will soon be bigger, and better,” he added.
The Thailand Yacht Show, by the same organizers as the immensely successful Singapore Yacht Show, aims to showcase both the Thai leisure marine industry and Thailand as a destination. “This is a properly international show,” said Josh Lee, CEO and Founder of Lee Marine, one of Thailand’s biggest yacht dealers. “We were delighted to be part of the inaugural event – thank you to everyone involved and to all those who attended.”
Local government regulations concerning chartering, immigration, customs and revenue are currently undergoing substantial review. Charter Licenses for superyachts are already being issued, but there are still some details to finalize. The intention is to make Asia, through Thailand, more accessible for superyachts, and thereby attract more business from European and US superyacht owners and charterers. At that point Phuket will truly become the ‘hub of yachting’ in Asia, and the Thailand Yacht Show will be its epicentre.
http://www.thailandyachtshow.com/
Photo credits: Richard Dobson and Phil Blake
