PHUKET BOAT SHOW DOUBLES IN SIZE

Phuket, Thailand : 14 April 2004

Phuket boat show organisers Image Asia Events yesterday announced that they have doubled the capacity of the show's air-conditioned exhibition space for the 2004 show, to be held in Phuket, Thailand from 9 - 12 December this year, making it the biggest ever boat show to be held in South East Asia.

According to Image Asia director Andy Dowden, the move has been made to cope with anticipated demand for Phuket International Marine Expo (PIMEX) 2004, following the success of the 2003 event - Thailand's first ever international boat show. Last year 80 exhibitors representing 120 companies were packed into just 57 booths, 20 on-water berths and an outside exhibition area. The 2004 show has 100 booths, a similar outside exhibition area and expects to have more than 30 boats in the water.

Since the 2003 Phuket boat show, the Thai government has moved to guarantee the kingdom its position as the prime regional marine tourism destination. Boat import taxes, three years ago totalling over 200 percent, have been abolished in a bold move to match Malaysia 's proactive stance in attracting yachting tourism.

"This means it is now relatively inexpensive to own a boat as an individual, or to import and operate a charter fleet in Thailand ," said Dowden , adding, "This, in turn, means we anticipate a strong surge in marina development over the next few years."

Confirming Dowden's conviction, Sunsail - the world's largest yacht charter operator - imported 16 new boats into Thailand within days of the zero tax announcement. The import almost doubled the size of Sunsail's Thai fleet, part of which will now be based in Koh Samui and Pattaya, both destinations that have not previously benefited from significant bareboat charter operations.

"Early indications are that, as a result of the government's decision to back the marine leisure industry here, PIMEX 2004 will see a much larger contingent from the marina development and construction side of the industry, intent on getting in at the ground floor of the expected boom," said Dowden.

Dowden also announced a strategic change of dates for PIMEX 2004. "Last year we waited until the Phuket King's Cup Regatta had finished before opening the show," said Dowden . "This year, we open on the regatta lay (rest) day, to give competitors the opportunity to visit the show without having to extend their stay in Phuket." The King's Cup attracts up to 100 yachts and 800 participants from around the world - all with a keen interest in boats.

Most exhibitors who backed PIMEX 2003 have already indicated they will be back for PIMEX 2004. "We announced the dates to 2003 exhibitors just a few days ago," said Dowden , "and several confirmed by return email. Amongst them are Hobie Cat, the Australian Industry Marine Export Group (AIMEX) and Seahawk Propellers, as well as a majority of the local Phuket-based marine industry exhibitors."

For more information please contact Grenville Fordham   Email: