PATTAYA, 21 November 2019: The eighth edition of the Ocean Marina Pattaya Boat Show opens at the Ocean Marina Yacht Club today firmly establishing itself as the largest outdoor marine and lifestyle show in Thailand.
Boat enthusiasts will have until 24 November to visit the show at the Gulf of Thailand marina just south of Pattaya.
Welcoming 14.8 million tourists in 2018, Pattaya is one of the largest tourism destinations in Thailand. When combined with the ongoing development of the East Coast Economic Corridor, the region’s leisure industry is well-positioned to continue growth.
Ocean Marina Yacht Club’s own research shows that the number of yachting day trip guests in 2018 increased more than 60% year-on-year, with 2019 on course to grow further.
While Pattaya’s top visitor nationalities are China, Russia, Korea, India and Germany, Thais are the third largest nationality taking day yacht trips and this has increased more than 90% over the last five years, helping to firmly place Pattaya at the heart of the Gulf of Thailand’s yachting playground.
“We are seeing marine leisure tourism growing in Pattaya and surrounds. The number of visitors taking day trips continues to rise, with the average spend being THB2,500 per day per person. We are also seeing yacht charter increasing with the minimum spend being 10,000THB per person. What is very encouraging is the number of Thai people getting out on boats – this is a significant and important trend for the region and one of the areas we have been promoting through the Ocean Marina Pattaya Boat Show since the beginning,” said Ocean Marina Yacht Club and organiser of the Ocean Marina Pattaya Boat Show, harbour master Scott Finsten.
With more than 30 global yacht brands at this year’s Ocean Marina Pattaya Boat Show – power and sail – together with domestic builds and the latest in-water technological developments, the marine line-up will be one of the largest ever seen and offers the full spectrum of watercraft from dinghies and tenders up to superyachts.
Complementing the yacht line-up is the always-popular demonstration zone featuring the latest marine toys and water sports equipment.
With more than 6,000 visitors expected to visit the show, it will offer a first-hand experience of the yachting lifestyle. There are free taster yacht cruises departing the marina throughout the show, as well as bookable evening sunset cruises, and opportunities for people with disabilities to have a go at sailing in the purpose-built SV14 dinghies.
“For the yachting enthusiast, we have all angles covered,” commented Finsten. “We have dinghies, tenders and day boats right up to luxury yachts and superyachts. Leading brands from around the world will be on display and represented, as well as some of the finest built boats from Thailand’s boat building industry.”
Based in the Gulf of Thailand, Solaire Heliluck Aviation will offer aerial services and those attending the show can get a taster with air excursions along the coastline taking off and landing from the marina throughout the show. Also exhibiting for the first time are Siam Seaplane who’s premium seaplane services provide fast, easy and seamless access to luxury resorts, beaches and marinas around the region.
The 8th Ocean Marina Pattaya Boat Show closes at 1800 on Sunday 24 November The show is open from 1100 to 1900 up until Sunday. Entrance is free.
