Organiser sees Phuket as ongoing yacht destination

Home Show Co plans to host a combination of events from October 11-19 at Impact Muang Thong Thani, the highlights being a Luxury Festival, a Baby and Family Festival, and a travel festival. These three events are expected to draw big spenders, both local and foreign.

Home Show director Veraded Jitsakdanont believes there is a lot of pent-up spending to be done, especially by the wealthy, on travel and luxury goods after the months of political chaos ended by the coup.

The company also expects more buyers from neighbouring countries at this event. 

The Luxury Festival will feature brand-name products including watches, property, supercars, and yachts. 

“Our targets this year are not only local but also foreign buyers. Yachts are becoming more popular with millionaires in the region including Singapore, Malaysia and Indonesia. They love to come in Thailand for sailing, particularly Phuket, which offers many marinas such as Yacht Haven, Royal Phuket, Phuket Boat Lagoon, Ao Po Grand Marina, and the government marina at Chalong Bay,” Veraded said.

More than 1,000 yacht trips stopped over in Phuket last year, staying as long as 60 days. Each yacht tripper spent about Bt100,000 on average, generating Bt21 billion revenue in Phuket and vicinity.

One of the key factors that made Phuket a regional marina hub was being named Asia’s Maritime Capital at the Hong Kong Gold Coast Boat Show in 2010. 

For the travel fair, the organiser says some operators will focus on high-end and niche markets and will offer exclusive packages to visitors. 

Purchases at the eight-day event are expected to total Bt100 million.