The first Thailand Charter Week looks set for a strong first edition at Phuket Yacht Haven, with more than 20 yachts confirmed for the event, which will be held from November 16-21.

Situated on the north of Phuket, close to the airport, Yacht Haven provides a top-class venue for the first Thailand Charter Week (November 16-21)

Organised by the Thai Yachting Business Association (TYBA), which has over 40 member companies, the industry-only event has already generated strong support from Asia-based charter companies, as well as international and local charter brokers.

The first 20-plus confirmed yachts range from 15m (50ft) to over 30m (100ft) and include models by renowned international brands including Azimut, Sunseeker, Princess, Riva, Baglietto, Bilgin, Ocea and Cheoy Lee, and leading catamaran builders Lagoon and Leopard.

Nine of the first yachts to confirm are 80ft (24m) or above and include the 95ft sailing yacht Aventure, the 90ft Thai-built wooden motor cruiser Maha Bhetra and the 80ft Azimut Mirage.

The 95ft sailing yacht Aventure will be among yachts on display at Yacht Haven

Burgess, Camper & Nicholsons, Fraser, Northrop & Johnson and Arcon Yachts are among the internationally renowned brokerage houses to confirm their participation as attending brokers.

Simpson Marine, Asia’s largest yacht dealer, and Yacht Sourcing are among regional yachting companies attending the show, while Asia Marine and Asia Yacht Agency are among prominent Phuket-based companies.

Brokers are attending from across Asia including Thailand, Indonesia, Singapore and Hong Kong, while representatives from the likes of Monaco, Greece, Australia and the USA were also registered by August.

The Lagoon 52 sailing cat Blue Moon, a popular charter catamaran represented by Simpson Marine

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.

The ‘B2B’ event is designed for local, regional and international charter brokers, central agents, luxury travel agents and tour operators to meet local agencies and discover some of the leading charter yachts operating in Thailand and the rest of Southeast Asia.

Matthew Na Nagara, Chairman of TYBA, said: “All of us involved with the first Thailand Charter Week are very encouraged at 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.

The 88ft Baglietto Ajao was among many yachts to confirm months ahead of the event

“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 and we look forward to announcing more yachts and attending brokers.”

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.

Three days of yacht inspections will be followed by three days of familiarisation cruises in and around Phuket, showing brokers the region’s many attractions

The event’s partner hotels include The Slate and Dusit Thani Laguna Phuket on the island’s west coast, and Como Point Yamu on the east coast.

TYBA was founded in 2014 and is a non-profit marine leisure industry association 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. For updated information, visit the TYBA website and click on Thailand Charter Week:

www.thaiyachtingbusinessassociation.com

The original article appears in Yacht Style Issue 49. Email subscribe@lux-inc.com for print subscription enquiries or subscribe to the Magzter version at: www.magzter.com/SG/Lux-Inc-Media/Yacht-Style/Fashion/

Yacht Style Issue 49: The 2019 ‘World Premieres Issue’ Out Now!