Super sails unfold at SALA

BANGKOK, THAILAND: Ten lucky guests staying at SALA Phuket Resort and Spa from 19 to 21 January 2018 will be invited to experience one of the island’s top yacht races and join the evening regatta event as VIP guests of honour.

The chance to experience the Asia Superyacht Rendezvous Cup, up close from one of the support vessels, is part of the hotel’s group sponsorship support for the prestigious regatta.

For the second year in a row, SALA Phuket Resort and Spa has committed its support for the  Asia Superyacht Rendezvous Cup, now in its 17^th edition. Read more

Card discounts sailing trips

BANGKOK, 30 May 2017: Krungthai Card Public Company Limited has launched a 40% discount promotion for card members who use their card to pay for a sailing yacht trip up to the end of July this year.

The promotional price is THB2,700 for a small sailboat excursion for adults compared with the regular price of THB4,500. Children pay THB1,700 instead of  THB3,600.

A THB2,700 yacht excursion for adults is discounted from the full price of THB4,500  only at Chonburi and Phuket branches. Read more

Top of the Gulf Regatta

PATTAYA, 28 March 2017: Top of the Gulf Regatta 2017 will be hosted in Pattaya, 4 to 8 May, for the 13th year in a row at the resort’s Ocean Marina.

Top of the Gulf Regatta is Asia’s largest multi-class regatta that welcomes 250 boats and 700 sailors from 25 countries competing for trophies across a wide range of sailing categories.

Ocean Marina is credited with being the largest marina in Southeast Asia and a centre for yachting and sport activities in Thailand’s Gulf of Thailand. Read more

Ministry of Tourism eyes marine tourism

BANGKOK, 7 February 2017: Thailand’s Ministry of Tourism and Sports intends to work with other ministries and agencies to develop Thailand as a marine tourism destination.

Thailand is best known for its popular beach resorts and has lagged behind other ASEAN destinations the cruise tourism segment.

Tourism and Sports Minister Kobkarn Wattanavrangkul said the minister has discussed with the Port Authority of Thailand and related agencies to expand Laem Chabang and Khlong Toey commercial ports so they can play a role in marine tourism. Read more

Plans for Phuket yacht show

PHUKET, 26 September 2016: Thailand’s Ministry of Tourism and Sports and the Tourism Authority of Thailand will support the second edition of the Thailand Yacht Show, 15 to 18 December at Ao Po Grand Marina, Phuket.

TAT governor, Yuthasak Supasorn, said the event will build confidence, strengthen, business opportunities and support the development of yacht tourism in Thailand.

“The event will help to encourage more revenue for the country’s tourism industry and help spread income to the relevant sectors across the nation,” he said. Read more

Boaties are big game

BANGKOK, 21 March 2016: Kasikorn Research Centre estimates the holiday yacht business will generate THB5,800 million revenue from both domestic and international markets.

The bank think-thank unit said the focus on high-spend tourists and yachting trips fits the government requirement to promote quality tourism. Boaties are high-end tourists who spend approximately four times more than that average tourist.

“Presently, the government wants to expand this market, but the government should support a marketing strategy and relax regulations such as extending the length of stay  for yacht owners, captains and crew, speed up import permits for super yachts to reside in Thailand waters and add incentives to encourage marine business. ” Read more

Phuket boat show 2017 dates

PHUKET, 10 February 2016: Just weeks after the 13th 2016 Phuket International Boat Show closed at its Royal Phuket Royal Marina venue, the organisers confirmed the 2017 show dates 5 to 7 January.

Andaman Marine Consultant, the event managers, said they have brought the 2017 event forward a few days to catch Phuket’s peak Christmas-New Year period when the island is at its busiest with second-home owners and high-spend visitors.

The 13th Phuket International Boat Show, 7 to 10 January, closed, on a high note with the organisers reporting a record attendance of 5,500 visitors of which 2,174 were trade visitors sourcing business with the 123 exhibitor booths. Read more

Danang offers new attractions

DANANG, 2 February 2016: Danang’s Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism will launch new tourist attractions to attract more visitors to the city.

Tuoi Tre News reported the city will inaugurate a mineral spring resort, a  museum of arts and  tour packages on the city’s Han River to woo more holidaymakers to visit Danang.

The Than Tai mineral spring resort, slated to open in Hoa Vang district, this April, will offer  mineral and mud baths as well as a wellness spa. Read more

Thailand to invest in marine tourism

BANGKOK, 4 August 2015: Thailand’s Cabinet approved, last week, a proposal by the Ministry of Transport to develop ports and facilities for yachts and cruise ships.

According to the Cabinet document, there are 33 potential locations where ports could be developed on the coasts of the Andaman Sea and Gulf of Thailand.

Of that, 11 are on the Andaman Sea coast in Ranong, Phang Nga, Phuket, Trang and Satun provinces, while 22 are on the Gulf of Thailand.

Read more