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Thailand’s premier boating haven Royal Phuket Marina (RPM) celebrated record-breaking occupancy over the past high-season on Asia’s most popular holiday island. The prestigious Mediterranean-style yachting and cruising hub and luxury lifestyle community operated at full capacity for the first time over December-January.
With state-of-the-art moorings for 120 vessels and 50 ‘dry’ berths, the ‘full house’ “underlines Phuket’s fast-growing popularity with the international boating community”, said Royal Phuket Marina developer Gulu Lalvani.
It coincides with the Andaman Sea and its myriad deserted tropical islands being voted ‘favourite sailing venue’ and ‘best regatta location in Asia’, in a survey conducted among sailors at the last 2011 Phuket King’s Cup Regatta in December – Thailand’s signature annual international yachting event.
The survey by Top of the Gulf Regatta in co-operation with the King’s Cup Regatta voted Thailand best for sailing due to its ideal geography, weather and beautiful scenery.
Among participating sailors, 53% were resident in Asia and 47% were from elsewhere in the world – mainly Europe, Australia, New Zealand, the United States and Russia. While 27% had sailed in Thailand for more than a decade, 53% were relative newcomers – having sailed the waters for only 1-3 years.
The stunning sailing grounds are being newly defined as an emerging ‘Andaman Marine Triangle’ – bracketing Phuket with neighbouring Phang Nga and Krabi.
With more than 200 direct international flights weekly from major tourist markets in both Asia and Europe, Phuket is the uncontested gateway to this marine playground for the rich and famous.
The location for filming numerous international blockbuster movies is now being promoted as “the single largest asset for the area’s tourism industry” at the forthcoming Phuket International Boat Show (PIMEX), Asia’s largest in-water boat show being staged from March 29-April 1 at Royal Phuket Marina.
PIMEX Show Director Andy Dowden believes growth will be fuelled by a “growing interest in buying into the marine leisure lifestyle among wealthy Russian, Chinese and Thai boating enthusiasts”.
In total, over one billion Thai baht of marina infrastructure development is expected in the ‘Andaman Marine Triangle’ up to 2017.
Online news site thephuketinsider.com is also bolstering “Brand Phuket”, noting: “Despite the crises that have beset Thailand over the past five years, Phuket continues to post remarkable growth.
“It remains entrenched in traveler’s minds as not only Asia’s most popular tourism island, but one of the most desirable leisure destinations for investors and entrepreneurs worldwide.”
Phuket’s astounding resilience is reflected in a 30% increase in visitors last year with 4.2 arrivals at the international airport.
Theodore is the Co-Founder and Managing Editor of TravelDailyNews Media Network; his responsibilities include business development and planning for TravelDailyNews long-term opportunities.
