Bangkok, 23 November 2016 – The Thailand Yacht Show (TYS) 2016 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 during 15 – 18 December, 2016, at the Ao Po Grand Marina in Phuket, marking the exciting developments for a yacht show and to make Thailand the marine hub of Asia.
Following the success of the inaugural show in February 2016, many of the industry’s leading names will return to show their support for Thailand’s new national boat show.
The event is supported by the Ministry of Tourism and Sports and the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), in partnership with the Ministry of Transport and the Marine Department, along with many other important officials and key business leaders.
H.E. Mrs. Kobkarn Wattanavrangkul, Minister of Tourism and Sports said the government’s support is vital because of the huge potential of this industry to benefit all Thai citizens.
“The show is an important platform for showcasing and promoting marine tourism in Thailand. 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; promoting job creation, while distributing sustainable income and improving local infrastructure too,” she added.
The potential economic impact for Thailand as a result of the improved marine infrastructure is vast. It is proven that yachting tourists spend far more than any other tourism sector. On average, a superyacht will spend between US$1 million and US$2 million (35.45 million-70.9 million Baht) in the country in which the yacht is based for a season.
Mr. Noppadon Pakprot, TAT Deputy Governor for Tourism Products and Business said, “Promoting marine tourism is one of our major goals for 2017 as part of the strategy to promote Thailand as a Quality Leisure Destination.
“The inaugural show in February was successfully held, we had a chance to welcomed over 70 brands, 4,600 participants and more than 40 yachts and boats.
“This time the lineup for the second edition will feature more of the region’s premier yachting and luxury brands from stylish superyachts to the latest launches. Next year, we are projecting 2,500 visits nationwide by yachts, cruises and other such forms of marine tourism, generating projected earnings of 7.5 billion Baht,” Mr. Noppadon said.
TYS 2016 promises to offer something for everyone. 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, Leopard Catamarans and Burgess Yachts, among many others.
Exciting 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, as well as the Galeon 460 Flybridge, which will make her Asian debut at the Show.
Mr. Andy Treadwell, Managing Director of the Thailand Yacht Show said,“ Thailand is the biggest and best yachting destination. With its warm hospitality and endless, extraordinarily beautiful cruising grounds, Treadwell believes that Thailand will easily establish itself as the place where everybody comes to use their yachts and enjoy life.
“We want to make Thailand the yachting and boating capital of Asia, and also the preferred winter destination for the global superyacht fleet. There are 5,000 superyachts over 30 metres 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 2 or 3 years,” Mr. Treadwell said.
With a wide variety of boats and yachts to choose from, and a fantastic show venue at the Ao Po Grand Marina with direct access into Phang Nga Bay, 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, with guests welcome to try some of the many on-water activities that can be enjoyed – Flyboards, Seadoos, sailing boats and paddle-boards – courtesy of Show partner, Java Yachting.
*Photo gallery of the press conference to announce the Thailand Yacht Show (TYS) 2016.
