Phuket's PIMEX On Track For Another Record Year

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Phuket's PIMEX on track for another record year

Riva, the darling of the superstars, will be on show at PIMEX. Photo: Riva

PHUKET: -- The Phuket International Boat Show, PIMEX 2011, is set for yet another record-breaking year, organizers say.

The annual international event gets underway tomorrow at Royal Phuket Marina.

“PIMEX 2011 is really shaping up to set a new benchmark this year,” said Andy Dowden, Show Director of Informa Yacht Group.

“The event has attracted record interest in its exhibition space and in-water berths have virtually sold-out,” he added.

Now in its eighth year, PIMEX continues to grow. Last year, the show hosted more than 85 companies and featured 34 yachts, earning the event the title of biggest boat show in the region.

“Between 2009 and 2010, PIMEX contributed over 8 billion baht to Phuket’s marine leisure industry,” said Mr Dowden.

“Last year saw strong boat sales by exhibitors at PIMEX and this year we are aiming to surpass that with over 1 billion baht worth of sales,” he added.

Next month’s show is expected to draw 6,000 visitors over the four days, including over 2,000 trade visitors.

“Luxury automobiles from 10 million baht and boats in excess of 600 million baht, in combination with buyers coming from all over the region, including Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Manila, Jakarta and Hong Kong, creates a huge opportunity for marine businesses to reach a wide target audience,” Mr Dowden said.

The event’s success has drawn support from the Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau.

“We believe that PIMEX 2011 will increase the already significant momentum in the marine sector and position Phuket as the regional hub for marine events with its world class facilities, easy accessibility via land, sea and air, extensive growth of infrastructure, a skilled English-proficient workforce and of course its wide range of leisure destinations,” said Supawan Teerarat, TCEB Director of Exhibition Department.

The boat brokers and dealerships that will join the show run the gamut from those that offer “affordable daysailers” to high-end luxury yachts.

The list of those signed up to join the show included Azimut, Bavaria Yachts, Beneteau, Benetti, Boston Whaler, Chris Craft, Crownline, Corsair Marine, Cranchi, De Birs, Fairline, Ferretti Yachts, Fontaine Pajot, Formula, Hanse, Horizon, Jeanneau, Lagoon, Majesty Yachts, Mustang, Nautor’s Swan, Northrop & Johnson, Oryx, Pershing, Princess, Riviera, Sea Ray, Silvercraft, Sunseeker and Windy Boats.

Locally built boats from Cata Thai, Composite Catamarans, Sunnav and Seat Boat will also be on display.

Riva, famed for its popularity among Hollywood superstars such as Liz Taylor and George Clooney, will exhibit at PIMEX for the first time by recently appointed dealer Lee Marine.

“Riva represents the very best in high-quality Italian boat design and technology coupled with 170 years of experience. Lee Marine is pleased to welcome such a prestigious brand into our group,” said Lee Marine Managing Director Joshua Lee.

Matching luxury on water with luxury on land will be international automobile brands Jaguar, Lexus and Land-Rover with some of their latest models on show.

For on-land motoring enthusiasts, selected guests will be given free test drives in Jaguar’s latest HK and XJ models.

PIMEX will be open 11am to 8pm daily and will draw to a close at 6pm on Sunday.

-- Phuket Gazette 2011-01-05