Having brought all the disparate pre-viously competing parties together in a single Phuket boat show, the fourth Thailand Yacht Show & RendezVous (TYS), held from January 10th-13th offered an all-embracing event at the Royal Phuket Marina for yachting enthusiasts and wealthy lifestyle-seekers from around Asia.

Leading international yacht dealers, brokerage houses, charter agencies and marine suppliers were there to showcase their brands, complemented by luxury property developers and a collective mix of lavish lifestyle products. With a decisive show of unity, the industry’s global players joined Thailand's key marine tourism stakeholders – including a strong at-tendance of representatives from national and local government – who have all thrown their support behind TYS’s 4-year mission to open up Thai waters to foreign yacht tourism and grow the industry.

Opening the proceedings, at Royal Phuket Marina, Mr Apichart Chirabandhu, Advisor to the Minister of Tourism and Sport, said: “The Tourism Authority of Thailand and the Ministry of Tourism & Sports are delighted to continue to support the Thailand Yacht Thailand marine industry Show, to show our commitment to create new opportunities that will boost Phuket’s and Thailand’s economies. By growing the marine tourism industry, we will attract quality visitors and high-end leisure tourists with significant purchasing power.”

The Governor of Phuket, Phakaphong Tavipatana, continued: “With the energy and enthusiasm of the organizers who work on this project throughout the year, and the appetite of our government and our people to welcome foreign yacht owners to our beautiful cruising waters, amazing landscapes, and world-re-nowned hospitality, we are confident that the annual Thailand Yacht Show will continue to help develop an extremely valuable high-end nautical tourism industry for Thailand.”

Commenting on the show, Andy Tread-well, CEO of show organizers, Verventia, said: “This was a fantastic turnout of exhibitors, with almost 150 companies represented, justifying Thailand’s government’s continuing support for the show and the industry. There were 40 yachts showcased by some of the best-known brands from around the world, as well as a wide range of luxury products and services in the completely sold-out Exhibition Hall. At the showSuperyacht Hub at next-door private island, Koh Rang Noi, visiting superyachts like the 73m M/Y Titania were available for viewing by interested charterers and buyers.