‘Asia’s favourite boat show’, the Phuket International Boat Show presented by Thailand Elite, took place from the 5th to 8th January at the award-winning Royal Phuket Marina. Held during Phuket’s peak season when villa owners, jet-setters and the wealthy elite are enjoying the island’s famed luxury lifestyle, more than 120 marine businesses and luxury brands from around the globe were represented at the annual event – a fixture on the global marine industry calendar.
Positioning Phuket as the marine and lifestyle hub of Asia, the annual Phuket International Boat Show (PIMEX) once again exceed all expectations.
“We had an excellent line-up of boats in-the-water and represented at the show, including many top global brands. Interesting this year was the increase in the number of sail boats on display, in particular multihulls,” commented Mr. Andy Dowden, Managing Director of Andaman Marine Consultants, organiser of the Phuket International Boat Show.
“Following the reduction in duties and taxes on international boats from more than 200% to zero in 2004, Phuket has become the home base of choice for regional boat owners. The island today welcomes more than 2,000 yachts a year and is a 10 Billion Baht-a-year industry, and through PIMEX and the business it generates at show and post show, we expect to contribute more than 6 Billion Baht to the island’s economy.”
Known for it’s large in-water display of top international boat brands, this year exceled with 40 boats in-the-water, and most of the top international sail and power boat brands represented, including Admiral, Airship RIBs, Axopar, Azimut, Beneteau, Corsair Marine, Fairline, Fleming, Fontaine Pajot, Galeon, Gulf Craft, Hanse, Jeaneau, Lagoon, Mag Bay, Majesty Yachts, Monte Carlo Yachts, Moody, Prestige, Princess Yachts, San Lorenzo and Sunseeker, just to name a few. These are joined by models from local builders Cholamark Boat and Sunnav. Leading dealerships Simpson Marine and Boat Lagoon Yachting have the largest in-water footprint and are joined by displays from Northrop and Johnson, Derani Yachts, Go Boating Thailand, MGC Marine, Multihull Solutions, South East Asia Yacht Sales and Services, and Asia Marine.
In addition to the outdoor in water display there was also 2,500 square meters of indoor exhibition space with a diversity of displays from as far afield as China, Australia, Italy and France.
Onshore highlights included a large selection of brokerage yachts, premium properties, luxury cars, super bikes from Harley Davison, as well as exclusive membership offerings from Thailand Elite. A comprehensive array of marine products and services including engine suppliers, chandlery, Seabob, paddle boards, yacht charter, marine tours, Rip Curl and more rounded out an exciting PIMEX 2017 line-up.
“The signs were strong for a good show this year. Following an extensive national and international marketing campaign, thousands of visitors enjoyed the quality exhibitor line-up and unique waterfront atmosphere of the Royal Phuket Marina over the four day show, with potential buyers flying in from key markets such as Singapore, Hong Kong, China, Russia and also Bangkok,” added Dowden.
PIMEX couldn’t be held in a nicer location in Asia then the Royal Phuket Marina, a world-class, luxury, Mediterranean-style marina and entertainment and lifestyle hub with open air restaurants. It is also the only marina in Southeast Asia offering private moorings on the doorsteps of its luxury residences. The state-of-the-art outer marina with its 120 berths and 24-hour security is now fully occupied and has become the home to many of the island’s premier yachts. Located on Phuket’s eastern seaboard overlooking scenic Phang Nga Bay, the Royal Phuket Marina is Thailand’s first lifestyle community rivalling top marina resort communities in Europe and the Caribbean.