On December 6th Camper & Nicholsons co-hosted the**_Start of the Phuket Yachting Season_**celebration with renowned Royal Huisman superyacht shipyard at the Kata Rocks Resort in Phuket. The well attended party coincided with the lay-day of the Phuket King’s Cup and prominent members of the sailing community honoured the event with their presence.
Opening the proceedings, Mr. Apichart Chirabandhu, Advisor to the **Minister of Tourism & Sport**, said: “The **Tourism Authority of Thailand** and the **Ministry of Tourism & Sports** are delighted to continue to support the **Thailand Yacht Show & RendezVous**, 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.”
Asia Pacific Superyachts Singapore’s Clarence Chong reminds all of Singapore’s rich culture and traditions celebrating Chinese New Year with performances, food and activities. The spectacular street light-up illuminates the entire Chinatown of Singapore, attracting a greater number of superyacht visitors along with tourists and locals.
“We opened in 2011,” explains Giovanni Toumi, manager of Infinite Yachts. “The company specializes in the sale of new and used boats, as well as yacht management and charters.” Initially located in Golfe-Juan, Infinite Yachts has since opened three other offices in Saint-Tropez, San Remo and, in 2016, in Phuket to represent Sunreef catamarans. “Business in Europe is somewhat erratic, especially in winter,” says Giovanni Toumi. “This is why we looked for another location. We considered the United States, but there are too many competitors. Asia, on the other hand, still has only a few brokers. The ports are developing very quickly and it is very open to international trade. Today, the market is booming. Phuket already has four marinas, and a fifth is under construction for yachts up to 100 metres. Now is the right time to be there!”
The upcoming edition of the[Thailand Yacht Show & Rendezvous](https://www.thailandyachtshow.com/), held 10 to 13 January 2019, is must-do show that will see a major industry merge of two successful boat shows: PIMEX (rebranded as Phuket Rendezvous in 2018) and the Thailand Yacht Show, now rebranded as one show, the[Thailand Yacht Show & Rendezvous.](https://www.thailandyachtshow.com/)
Global Marine Travel GMT who’s largest global office is located in Makati, Manila has recently been working with [**Air Juan**](http://www.airjuan.com/), a Seaplane company, whose planes land and take off in Manila Bay. The planes use Subic Bay as a base. Subic Bay is fast becoming a hub for Super Yachts visiting the area as there are many first class facilities in available in Subic, including, dockage, refueling opportunities dry dock facilities and experienced port agency services headed up by former Super Yacht Captain Brian Gillies and his wife Bhing ([http://spdsinc.com](http://spdsinc.com/)).
Supported by the Australian Government Department of Jobs and Small Business, East Coast Apprenticeships, with the help and encouragement of key industry proponents, plans to deliver the ‘Launch into Work’pre-employment project targeting the superyacht sector. Queensland State Government has also committed funds to implement the program.
Founded by Philippe CHADEL, Moody Fayed and Anthony Brisacq**, who have **accumulated 40 years experience** in the international yachting world before starting our YACHTSIDE company, **specialized in sales of new and pre-owned yachts, charter and yacht management.
Camper & Nicholson Asia is keen to support and expand the marine industry to its full potential. We are pleased to participate on the official launch of Guangdong Hong Kong Macau Yacht Free Travel on 16 th December, 2017. From now on, the yacht that is registered in Hong Kong can now go to Shenzhen Bay Marina port, China and stay there for 183 days as a tax free visiting yacht. The yacht is allowed to cruise within the approved route and area in Guangdong water.
The first edition of Phuket Rendez-vous, kicked off on January 4 th, 2018, incorporating classic marine and lifestyle elements. Yachts, sports cars, waterfront luxury properties, art, fashion, watches and fine food were displayed at the bustling Royal Phuket Marina. The public gathered with great enthusiasm to visit the MCY fleet, including two MCY 70s and one MCY 65. At the Christofle Yacht Style Awards ceremony on the opening day, the latest model from the MCY collection, the MCY 96 was awarded the Best International Motor Yacht (24-30m).
