Sell-out Phuket International Boat Show promotes Phuket as the yachting playground of Asia

The 13th Phuket International Boat Show opened it’s doors to an eager public with one of the strongest line-ups of marine and lifestyle products in the show’s history. Commonly referred to as “Asia’s favourite boat show” it has indeed become Phuket’s Boat Show, is the longest running marine and lifestyle show in South East Asia and run over four days from 7th to 10th January at the award-winning Royal Phuket Marina.
 

More than 60 yacht brands from around the world were displaying at this year’s Phuket International Boat Show including four superyachts and two of the largest multihulls ever seen in Thailand. Boats ranging from 20 foot upwards, both sail and power, were open for viewing by an expected 6,000 visitors during the show.
 

“I am proud to say the Phuket International Boat Show is a sell-out. All the in-water space is taken and the Exhibition Hall looks fantastic. Following the Thai Government announcement of a new 12-month superyacht charter licence for foreign-flagged vessels, we have seen a notable increase in enquiries from superyacht brokers and agents around the world. What is very encouraging though is not just the quality and size of some of the boats in the show this year, but also the variety: there are more sailboats and multihulls than ever before, the smallest boat on display is 20 foot and there are entry level boats for under THB2 million,” commented Mr. Andrew Dowden, Managing Director of Andaman Marine Consultants, organisers of the Phuket International Boat Show.
 

In addition to yachts for sale, there were charter companies, yacht service companies, marine products and water toys, as well as a range of luxury cars, properties and more on offer in the waterside Exhibition Hall and Town Square.
 

“This year’s mix of exhibitors really is one of the most diverse yet. We have luxury property offerings from Phuket and beyond, Ferrari, Rolls-Royce, Aston Martin and BMW, and every conceivable marine product and brand showing their wares. In addition, there are lots of activities for families and children to enjoy making the boat show a fun day out for all,” added Mr. Dowden.
 

– Over 60 international yacht brands represented and more than 120 businesses exhibiting.

– 1,768 foot (539 metres) is the total length of boats on display.

– Total value of boats on display is more than THB4 billion.

– There are three boats valued approximately THB360 million each and the cheapest is less than THB2 million.

– Total value of products on offer at the show is more than THB15 billion.
 

With a world-class infrastructure Phuket continues to attract wealthy visitors, yacht owners and investors to its shores every year. 40% of the world’s population lives within a six hour flight of Phuket and within easy access are two of the world’s biggest countries – India and China. With three billion people on Phuket’s doorstep and spectacular cruising grounds the potential for yachting and marine leisure tourism is huge, underscoring Phuket’s position as the marine destination of choice in Asia.

 

World-class cruising grounds, a well-developed marine infrastructure and international-standard marinas make Thailand the beating heart of Asia’s marine industry and Phuket the playground for yachting aficionados the world over. Looking to grow yachting and marine tourism in Thailand further is leading international yacht dealership, brokerage and service company Simpson Marine, and Thailand’s only 5-Gold Anchor award-winning marina, Royal Phuket Marina.
 

“I have been sailing in Phuket’s waters for many years and the cruising-grounds are truly world-class. Phuket has now become the Asian Riviera. My vision for Phuket remains unchanged: to help develop the best yachting and marine infrastructure, and encourage quality visitors to come and enjoy the beauty of the island. I can see demographics of yacht buyers and charter guests is changing with more Asian’s enjoying the yachting lifestyle, and as most marinas are already full we are expanding our facilities at Royal Phuket Marina to accommodate more yachts,” said Mr. Gulu Lalvani, Chairman, Royal Phuket Marina.
 

“We see more yacht owners choosing Phuket as their base and we will be opening a new Dry Stack at the marina which can accommodate boats up to 12 meters in length. Owners can call to our marina team and within one hour we will have their boat out of the stack and in the water ready for them to go and enjoy Phuket’s marine treasures,” added Mr. Lalvani.
 

The Dry Stack will increase capacity at Royal Phuket Marina from 170 to 296 boats and will be finished and operating by the end of February 2016.
 

Providing a more convenient and hassle-free yachting experience is at the heart of growing yachting in Phuket and no-one knows this more so than Simpson Marine. With more than 100 staff in 17 offices across Asia, Simpson Marine has been providing yacht services in the region since 1984 and in Thailand since 2004. With six boats in-the-water at this year’s Phuket International Boat Show, Simpson Marine believe in Phuket and Thailand’s yachting future.
 

“From our experience we see that more people are buying yachts in Thailand because of the beauty of the Andaman Sea and its surrounding waters. Coupled with the world-class marine facilities in Phuket, many of our clients opt to keep their boats here” says Mr. Sergio Loiacono, Country Sales Manager of Simpson Marine Thailand.
 

Exclusively representing leading international boat brands Sanlorenzo, Monte Carlo, Monte Carlo Yachts, Beneteau Power, Beneteau Sail, CNB Yachts, Lagoon and Viking Yachts in Asia, Simpson Marine’s in-water display includes the Monte Carlo 4, three from the Monte Carlo Yachts’ range – MCY86, MCY70, MCY65 – and two catamarans, the Lagoon 630 MY and Lagoon 560 Imagine.
 

“This year marks one of our strongest line-ups at the Phuket International Boat Show. Phuket has always been an important market for us and some of the highlights include the award-winning Monte Carlo Yachts 86, the Lagoon 630 Motor Yacht and the special edition Lagoon 560 Imagine. All three are making their debuts in Thailand at the show,” adds Mr. Loiacono.
 

Phuket and Thailand’s yachting credentials are unrivalled in the region and as more yacht owners around the world look to Asia, and Phuket as the yachting destination of choice, the future for yachting is one of growth.
 

The 13th Phuket International Boat Show was open daily 11:00 to 19:00 from 7th to 10th January at Royal Phuket Marina.