Phuket, Thailand, October 9, 2021 / TRAVELINDEX / The 6th edition of the Thailand Yacht Show, which, like most other major international events, has been postponed over the past 18 months, is preparing to resume next year with the support of all major international yacht brands and Thai government officials.

The show will eventually become the central event of a new, multifaceted “Festival of Luxury Tourism” proposed by Verventia to the Thai government, which aims to reposition Phuket as a destination for wealthy private clients – a policy that has just been confirmed as adopted by the Prime Minister himself (More on this here).

The trade fair, originally scheduled for February of this year and organized by Verventia, is cautiously optimistic that the pandemic can be brought under control and the population sufficiently protected, allowing TYS to take place in the first quarter of 2022. However, planning will be flexible to accommodate the industry's wishes and government recommendations, ensuring a timeline acceptable to all strategic partners given the current situation.

After Verventia CEO Andy Treadwell had to postpone no fewer than five trade shows in the last two years, he refused to make any premature announcements about specific reopening dates, despite pressure from newly emerged, inexperienced competitors trying to take over the show.

“Given the severe strain on individuals and businesses, and the fact that the government – ​​quite rightly – is prioritizing safety above all else, we believe it would be extremely insensitive to announce the disappearance of the virus and the reopening of borders at this stage, as long as this is not the case. We do not believe this will be the case in just three months. We will hold the show as soon as we and all our customers, partners, and stakeholders deem it safe – and we very much hope that this will be early next year.”

The global yacht industry supports toys!

All major brands and regional dealers have already booked their stands for TYS 2022, whenever it can take place, and thus fully support the show. They also appreciate the investments the organizers have made over the past six years to promote the regional industry and establish Phuket as Asia's premier yachting center.

Simpson Marine, the largest and most traditional dealer in Asia and founding partner of all three Asia Yacht Shows in Singapore, Thailand and Hong Kong, has once again confirmed the largest number of berths at TYS 2022 and will showcase at least 5 or 6 of the latest models from its brands San Lorenzo, Lagoon, Beneteau, Fairline and Aquila.

Richard Allen, Managing Director of Simpson Marine, likely speaks for many in the industry when he says: “We don’t need another show in Thailand – and given the current Covid situation in Southeast Asia, we wouldn’t even participate in a show in January 2022. The Verventia team has worked hard over the past few years to convince the Thai government of the potential economic benefits that superyacht chartering could bring to their country. Now that this has finally been approved, I’m sure we’ll see tremendous growth across the entire boating industry. I just wish everyone would support Verventia and help them develop the Thailand Yacht Show – we don’t need opportunists jumping on the bandwagon, disrupting the momentum, and creating confusion. We’ve already seen a similar situation in Hong Kong, which has caused significant damage to the industry there.”

The Ferretti Group, another major global brand currently enjoying great success in Asia and also a founding partner of TYS and all three Asia Yacht Shows, has also secured its usual front-row seats at the exhibition.

Fabiomassimo Discoli, Sales and Marketing Director for the Asia-Pacific region, explained: “We absolutely do not want two competing trade fairs in Phuket. The Ferretti Group APAC has a long-standing partnership with Verventia and trusts that they can organize a high-quality boat show in the region. We have already invested in their shows, and there would be no room for another one in the 2021/2022 season.”

Princess Yachts is one of the world's leading brands for leisure boats and has supported every edition of the three Asian Yacht Shows since their inception. Princess Yachts is also appalled by the absurd situation of a new organizer attempting to destroy the TYS: “We definitely don't need another boat show. If a new organizer wants to participate, they must strategically align with the existing organizers and agree on how the industry can best be represented. We prefer a single show covering a larger area in the Asia-Pacific region, with the proven partners we have worked with for ten years who can successfully run a show like the Singapore Yacht Show and provide our customers with a truly positive and authentic experience,” said Kiran Haslam, Chief Marketing Officer of Princess Yachts.

The Thai government initiated the Thailand Yacht Show in 2015 to boost the Thai economy by developing a high-end maritime tourism sector. Verventia was commissioned to organize the event and now plans to expand it into an international marketing platform reaching high-net-worth individuals and ultra-high-net-worth individuals (UHNWIs) worldwide.

The expanded event will include separate presentations of other high-end luxury products such as private jets, classic cars and electric cars, wellness and healthcare, as well as art and culture – the combined shows offer an irresistible event to attract many thousands of lifestyle-oriented consumers from across the region.

The global campaign currently being prepared for the launch of this event will provide a year-round marketing platform to reposition Thailand as an exclusive destination for ultra-high-net-worth individuals (UHNWI), while also serving as a catalyst for business opportunities within the privileged circles with which the campaign will come into contact.

Visitors can experience the outstanding sights around Phuket, coupled with unparalleled hospitality, tropical climate, white sandy beaches and some of the best golf courses in Asia.

Phuket's Deputy Governor, Khun Piyaphong Choonwong, fully supports the new event: "The Phuket Provincial Government is pleased to support the Thailand Yacht Show team's initiative, which launched a global campaign to attract numerous affluent yacht tourists to our beautiful island. The luxury tourism festival concept, which includes the Thailand Yacht Show, will undoubtedly appeal to precisely these types of wealthy vacationers and the agencies that promote these offerings. At a recent meeting of Phuket's business leaders, this project received unanimous approval. Once we can fully reopen our borders, many people will be eager to experience our luxury tourism offerings."