PATTAYA, 6 August 2019: Yachting off Thailand’s East Coast will gain a boost from the Ocean Marina Pattaya Boat Show 21 to 24 November.
Thailand’s east coast is already a popular yachting destination, and that trend will continue as the government invests in road, rail and airport infrastructure.
Ocean Marina Yacht Club, the largest marina in Southeast Asia will host the Ocean Marina Pattaya Boat Show for the eighth time this November.
“Ocean Marina Pattaya Boat Show is one of our signature marine events and has grown considerably since its launch in 2012.
“Visitors reached almost 6,000 last year, up 5% year-on-year,” said Ocean Property managing director, Napong Paripontpochanapisuti, the main organiser of the boat show. “We invest THB10 million each year to develop and market and promote the show overseas… we are targeting a 20% growth in visitors this year.”
Ocean Marina Pattaya Boat Show helped to generate THB2.5 billion business for Thailand’s marine industry in 2018. Yacht tourism delivers high-quality tourists with high spending the kind the Tourism Authority of Thailand describes as “quality visitors”.
Although Thailand’s tourism is currently experiencing a dip, the fundamentals remain strong, and yachting tourism should contribute significantly to Pattaya’s economy.
“The first four months of the year were strong, although visitors during May and June tapered off. Tourists joining boat trips at Ocean Marina Yacht Club in the first half of 2019 were up 2% year-on-year. Chinese and Korean tourists remain the top daytrippers followed closely by Thai tourists,” Napong explained.
Over 70% of visitors to the 2018 Ocean Marina Pattaya Boat Show were Thai while more than 50% of boats berthed at Ocean Marina Yacht Club are Thai owned.
Around 40 boats will be displayed by leading international boat brands and brokers during the show. These will be complemented by a wide range of marine products and accessories.
Live-on-water demonstrations will take place over the four days as well as free yacht cruises, sunset cruises, sundowners, fashion shows, pop-up restaurants and activities for families.
The 8th Ocean Marina Pattaya Boat Show takes place, 21 to 24 November, at Southeast Asia’s largest marina, Ocean Marina Yacht Club in Pattaya. Entry is free.
