Thailand like much of the world is in the grip of the coronavirus pandemic.
The government there has announced restrictions on inter-provincial travel. As of yesterday, 12th February, visitors to Phuket from Bangkok and other key regions now have to go into 14 days of quarantine on arrival.
It is the introduction of these restrictions that has forced Verventia the company behind the Singapore Yacht Show, the Hong Kong Yacht Show, the Asia Pacific Superyacht Conference, the Asia Boating Forum and the Thailand Yachting Forum to announce their decision to postpone the 2021 Thailand Yacht Show, currently scheduled from 11th to 14th February, until later in the year.
New dates for the show will be announced as soon as possible, likely in either June/July, or November.
Since the beginning of the pandemic, Thailand has been one of the most successful countries in managing the protection and recovery of its population. Despite the drastic effect this has had on tourism, one of its most important sources of income – normally around 20% of GDP, and considerably higher in Phuket – most observers respect and admire the government’s resolute adherence to strict containment measures.
Economic recovery will be all the more certain in a tourism destination that can be seen to be permanently on guard to keep itself as safe as possible at all times.
Verventia has done much to promote Thailand as Asia’s principal yachting hub and the new destination-in-waiting for ultra-high-spending global superyacht tourists, for which the government-initiated Thailand Yacht Show is the main annual marketing platform, will also be rewarded in the end. Just last week we had a meeting with the Thai Customs Department, who are now fully behind the project to allow foreign-flagged superyachts to charter in Thai waters.
Talking about the decision to postpone this year’s yacht show, CEO Andy Treadwell said, “We have discussed the options with our principal stakeholders, and all agree that we have no choice in the matter.”
With only six weeks to go to show opening, and travel restrictions seeming likely to become more widely enforced over the next few weeks, the organisers believe it would simply be irresponsible to continue with plans to stage the show over the Chinese New Year period in February, even if it were allowed.
Treadwell added, ”Despite the financial hardships this will cause for our suppliers, our exhibitors, and for ourselves too, we are in full agreement with the government’s anti-Covid safety measures, and we will just have to wait for the situation to ease.”