Industry rallies behind 1st Thailand Charter Week

The first Thailand Charter Week is producing strong interest from regional and international companies in the charter and marine tourism sector. The show is anticipated to have a successful first edition at the Phuket Yacht Haven venue, with 22 yachts confirmed so far.

The event, which runs from November 16-21, is exclusively B2B with the aim of promoting Thailand as an international charter destination. The aim of the event is for international, regional and local charter brokers, agents and tour operators to network with local companies and view the charter yachts that are available in Thailand and the region.

“All of us involved with the first Thailand Charter Week are very encouraged by the quantity and quality of yachts confirmed to exhibit at Phuket Yacht Haven in November. It shows that the industry as a whole is very supportive of this type of charter event in Asia,” says Matthew Na Nagara, chairman of the Thai Yachting Business Association (TYBA).

“We’re also delighted to see the response from brokers from Asia and around the world, as this is the second, equally important part of what will make this event a success. We’re delighted that some of the biggest brokerage houses in the world have confirmed their attendance.”

Organised and owned by the TYBA, the industry-only event is generating strong support from Asia-based charter companies, as well as international and local charter brokers. The list of brokers so far includes Burgess, Camper & Nicholson’s, Fraser, Northrop & Johnson together with local companies such as Asia Marine, Asia Yacht Agency, Simpson Marine and Yacht Sourcing.

According to TYBA, confirmed yachts range from 15m (50ft) to over 30m (100ft), including models from Azimut, Sunseeker, Princess, Riva, Baglietto, Bilgin, Ocean and Cheoy Lee. Catamaran builders Lagoon and Leopard will also be present.

The Thailand Charter Week is Asia’s first international charter show for industry professionals only, and was inspired by the Antigua Charter Yacht Show in the Caribbean and MYBA Charter Show in the Mediterranean.

Vincent Tabuteau, CEO of Asia Marine and a board member of TYBA, says: “The event is the best way for the charter business to meet and network with the service providers, see the yachts and the local cruising grounds. In conclusion a B2B charter event is working time for all participants, buyers and sellers alike. There’s no time for party crashers and family-style boat viewings.”

The first three days will be dedicated to visiting yachts on display at the superyacht-friendly Yacht Haven, on the northeast coast of Phuket, close to the international airport. The opening days will also include panel discussions and presentations about various charter destinations.

The last three days will feature day and overnight ‘familiarisation’ cruises aboard participating yachts to renowned charter destinations around Phuket and the Andaman Sea, to help build and realise potential business and partnerships.

The Thailand Charter Week will be followed by the Ocean Marina Pattaya Boat Show (November 21-24) with organisers of the east-coast show fully supportive of the new Phuket event.

“I think the Gulf of Thailand can complement what Phuket has to offer. We’re all working to bring the Andaman Coast and Gulf of Thailand businesses closer together,” says Scott Finsten, Harbour Master of Ocean Marina Yacht Club, a TYBA member.

TYBA was founded in 2014 and is a non-profit marine leisure industry association with over 40 members serving yacht-builders, yacht charter operators and brokers, yacht sales brokerage and dealership, marinas, yacht repairs and refit, yacht management and other yachting-related companies throughout Thailand.