Growing yachting in Phuket

Posted on January 15th, 2016

Category: Absolute Hotels Absolute Resorts

World-class cruising grounds, a well-developed marine infrastructure and international-standard marinas make Thailand the beating heart of Asia’s marine industry and Phuket the playground for yachting aficionados the world over.

Looking to grow yachting and marine tourism in Thailand further is leading international yacht dealership, brokerage and service company Simpson Marine, and Thailand’s only 5-Gold Anchor award-winning marina, Royal Phuket Marina.

“I have been sailing in Phuket’s waters for many years and the cruising-grounds are truly world-class. Phuket has now become the Asian Riviera. My vision for Phuket remains unchanged: to help develop the best yachting and marine infrastructure, and encourage quality visitors to come and enjoy the beauty of the island.

“I can see demographics of yacht buyers and charter guests is changing with more Asian’s enjoying the yachting lifestyle, and as most marinas are already full we are expanding our facilities at Royal Phuket Marina to accommodate more yachts,” said Gulu Lalvani, Chairman, Royal Phuket Marina.

“We see more yacht owners choosing Phuket as their base and we will be opening a new Dry Stack at the marina which can accommodate boats up to 12 meters in length. Owners can call to our marina team and within one hour we will have their boat out of the stack and in the water ready for them to go and enjoy Phuket’s marine treasures,” added Mr Lalvani.

The Dry Stack will increase capacity at Royal Phuket Marina from 170 to 296 boats and will be finished and operating by the end of February 2016.

Providing a more convenient and hassle-free yachting experience is at the heart of growing yachting in Phuket and no-one knows this more so than Simpson Marine. With more than 100 staff in 17 offices across Asia, Simpson Marine has been providing yacht services in the region since 1984 and in Thailand since 2004. With six boats in-the-water at this year’s Phuket International Boat Show, Simpson Marine believe in Phuket and Thailand’s yachting future.

“From our experience we see that more people are buying yachts in Thailand because of the beauty of the Andaman Sea and its surrounding waters. Coupled with the world-class marine facilities in Phuket, many of our clients opt to keep their boats here” says Mr. Sergio Loiacono, Country Sales Manager of Simpson Marine Thailand.

Exclusively representing leading international boat brands Sanlorenzo, Monte Carlo, Monte Carlo Yachts, Beneteau Power, Beneteau Sail, CNB Yachts, Lagoon and Viking Yachts in Asia, Simpson Marine’s in-water display includes the Monte Carlo 4, three from the Monte Carlo Yachts’ range – MCY86, MCY70, MCY65 – and two catamarans, the Lagoon 630 MY and Lagoon 560 Imagine.

“This year marks one of our strongest line-ups at the Phuket International Boat Show. Phuket has always been an important market for us and some of the highlights include the award-winning Monte Carlo Yachts 86, the Lagoon 630 Motor Yacht and the special edition Lagoon 560 Imagine. All three are making their debuts in Thailand at the show,” adds Mr. Loiacono.

Phuket and Thailand’s yachting credentials are unrivalled in the region and as more yacht owners around the world look to Asia, and Phuket as the yachting destination of choice, the future for yachting is one of growth.