New yachting route to be created at 2nd Phuket show
A new yachting route across Southeast Asia is expected to be created at the second “Thailand Yacht Show”, which takes place in Phuket next week.
Andy Treadwell, managing director and organiser of the show, said travel business, particularly in the yachting sector, would continue to grow not only in Thailand, but also in other regional countries such as Malaysia and Indonesia.
“Today, the number of super-yachts in Thailand is 120, which is expected to rise to 200 over the next few years, while there are only a few in Malaysia and currently none in Indonesia. But this business has high potential to grow [in such countries],” he said.
In light of what he sees as such a bright future for the yachting market, Treadwell said he would work with yacht operators and Thai authorities participating in next week’s show to develop the route.
Moreover, he will work authorities in other countries on the planned route in order to facilitate yachting requirements, including sailing permissions, crew visas, tax privileges, and access to marinas.
“We want to create a new route that links Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore and Indonesia in a loop. The concept will be similar to a famous route in the Caribbean. Yacht operators will also have the option to go further, down to Australia and New Zealand,” he explained.
If the project takes off, Thailand can be a hub for yacht business, as Phuket currently offers four marinas and another is about to be developed on the resort-island, he suggested.
Owners of super-yachts stationed at ports in Phuket usually take three to four months for an entire trip, during which they each spend in the region of US$1 million-$2 million (Bt36 million-Bt70 million), he added.
The second “Thailand Yacht Show”, which takes place at the Ao Po Grand Marina in Phuket from December 15-18, is expected to attract 40-50 yacht operators from Thailand and elsewhere, as well as 4,000-5,000 visitors.
Forty-two operators participated in the first edition of the event.
Treadwell organised the “Singapore Yacht Show” for six years, before adding the Phuket show to his event-organising schedule.
