Extended stay for foreign yachts opens up the gulf of Thailand to more international yachts, contributing to the local economy and tourism.
Marine tourism in the Gulf of Thailand is about to boom. The 5th Ocean Marina Pattaya Boat Show – held 24-27 November, 2016 and set to be the biggest yet with more boats on display than ever – and new improved Customs rulings allowing visiting foreign vessels to stay longer in-country – together lay solid foundations for marine tourism growth in Pattaya and surrounds.
Pattaya’s multi-billion baht marine industry is poised to grow exponentially over the next few years.
“Ocean Marina Pattaya Boat Show has grown steadily since it was launched five years ago. The event is a key business event for the marine industry and in addition to welcoming many domestic visitors each year the event has grown to attract many international visitors also. The confidence that the international community has in this event and Thailand’s burgeoning marine industry underscores its potential and importance to the Thai economy,” said Dr. Tirachai Pipitsupaphol, Managing Director, Ocean Property.
Supporting Ocean Marina Pattaya Boat Show’s aim to make Pattaya the Riviera of Asia, to promote marine tourism in the region and showcase the Gulf of Thailand, is a new ruling on the temporary importation of visiting foreign yachts.
“In the past foreign vessels entering Pattaya were given a relatively short period for temporary importation. This has now changed. The Customs Department in Pattaya have agreed that the “Temporary Importation Permit for Visiting Foreign Vessels” will allow international yachts a period of six months stay which can be extended in-country, opening up the region’s potential to visiting yachts from overseas,” said Mrs. Montira Cherdchoo, Director of Map Ta Phut Customs House, The Customs Department.
This means that Pattaya will become a hub for regional marine tourism and is set to welcome more than 1,000 international yachts and superyachts annually in the near future, boosting Thailand’s tourism revenue.
“Many people are not aware of the beauty of this region. There are 187 islands in the Gulf of Thailand with 43 within one hour by boat of Ocean Marina itself. The cruising grounds are spectacular and the extended say allowed for foreign yachts will help open up the region. This is a very positive move and the region is ready to welcome more than one thousand foreign yachts annually,” added Dr. Tirachai.
Article sourced from J Star & Stapel
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