Thailand Charter Week a Resounding Success
The second edition of the Thailand Charter Week, held from the 16th to the 19th of November at Phuket Yacht Haven Marina was blessed by fantastic weather; the sun shone abundantly on the display of motor and sailing yachts sized from 15 to 40 meters. The high number of qualified visitors to the B2B event included Thai charter brokers, agents and tourism & hotel industry professionals, plus overseas visitors from the UK, Monaco, France, Indonesia, Hong Kong, and Singapore, who enjoyed the show and the networking opportunities at the show’s parties.
Organised by the Thai Yachting Business Association, the event received full support from the Thai Government. Senior government officials attended the event, starting with a pre-show inspection and afternoon cruise on board motor yachts MIA KAI (30m Bilgin), XANADU (34m Moonen), and INDIANA (39m Bilgin). The star-studded group of VIP guests included Mr. Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn, Thailand’s Minister of Tourism and Sports, Ms. Thapanee Kiatphaibool, Deputy Governor for Domestic Marketing, Tourism Authority of Thailand, and Mr. Narong Woonsiew, the Governor of Phuket.
Phil Clark of Helicam Asia, official event photographer and VDO sponsor, was especially pleased with the lovely weather during the cruise. His stunning photos can be seen on the photo gallery of the TYBA website.
The event’s opening party was held at venue host Phuket Yacht Haven’s The Deck restaurant, which overlooks the marina. “Thailand Charter Week 2022 is a fabulous marketing platform that works well with Thailand’s strategic marine tourism plan. This luxury yachting event will help promote Thailand as a marine tourism destination, offering premium charter yachts and superyachts to international and domestic charter brokers,” said Mr Phiphat in his opening speech.
In an interview with John Higginson of international media sponsor LuxInc, publishers of a.o. luxurious yachting and lifestyle magazine Yacht Style, Mr. Phiphat further commented: “Yachting will be one of the key mechanisms for restoring the economy by tourism. The Ministry of Tourism and Sports gives its full support to this event in term of sponsorship and will promote this event through our domestic and international media channels.”
Mr Phiphat mentioned the cooperation with the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), which exhibits at major boat shows in Monaco, Cannes, Fort Lauderdale, Dubai and Sydney, as the country seeks to revive tourism following the pandemic. “We’re working with our international TAT office to promote and advertise the country’s stunning yachting destinations,” Mr Phiphat said. “Additionally, we have a ‘road show’ exhibiting at major yacht shows in Europe, US and other regions, which play an integral part in promoting Thailand as a yachting destination to the international market.”
“It’s great that private companies are interested in developing marine infrastructure. Thailand needs more marinas, especially superyacht marinas. This will increase our capabilities to become ‘Asia’s yachting hub’,” Mr Phiphat said. “Superyacht shipyards are still a missing piece of the puzzle, as they help enable superyachts to stay in Thailand long term. They need an international-standard service facility and the new Port Macchanu marina will be a big move for Thailand.
“Thailand will benefit from superyachts staying long term because most of their annual expenses will spread through the local economy, creating jobs for local people.”
Jai Dhillon, representing venue host Phuket Yacht Haven Marina said: “It was our pleasure to host the second Thailand Charter Week for the TYBA, and to welcome Mr. Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn, Ms. Thapanee Kiatphaibool, Mr. Narong Woonsiew and other dignitaries to our marina. As a B2B event, the Thailand Charter Week helps yachts and charter companies to promote and interact with relevant target clients. It helps the local charter industry by giving it an international platform to showcase their yachts and cruise services.”
Exhibiting yachts were pleased with the good turn-out during the show: “Especially on Friday we were quite busy showing visitors around the yacht,” said Captain Mark of motor yacht XANADU, one of the largest yachts in the show. It was an honour to have the Minister and other VIP guests on board for a cruise, and the whole event went great.”
Presentations on Friday the 18th of November at host sponsor Galileo Maritime Academy, were well attended. Captain Chris Green of MIA KAI sketched out enticing itineraries around Phuket and the Gulf of Thailand and the Harbour Department and the Thai Revenue Department clarified several issues of the Thai Charter License.
The closing party was sponsored and hosted by The Play Yard Phuket together with drink sponsors Chalawan Beer, and Greenery Water, and enlivened by popular band OZONE, of which the oldest member, the poised and incredibly talented female lead singer and guitarist, is just 12. The age of her other band members (11, 11 and a drummer of 9 years old) belies their poise and professional skills to entertain an audience twice or four times their age!
Stephanie Archer, Senior Charter Manager of Ocean Independence in the UK, was happy to combine a visit to the Thailand Charter Week with meetings on several superyachts she manages in Phuket, and another international visitor, Caroline Payen of superyachts Silolona and Si Datu Bua based in Indonesia, said: “I loved this show, I’ll stay connected.”
On Saturday 19th November, luxury yachts MIA KAI, HAPPY OURS and AUGUST MOON took guests for a wonderful day tour of nearby Phang Nga Bay, as the ‘grand finale’ of the event.
Tryn Ninlakorn of Aqua Superyacht Services based in Bangkok summed it up: “Thank you very much! It was a pleasure visiting the show and being on board MIA KAI. I hope you all will have a fantastic charter season!”
Last but not least, a special THANKS! to JAND for excellent organization of the event.
For yacht enquiries https://www.thaiyachtingbusinessassociation.com/thailand-charter-week-2022-yachts
