RPM proposes- 10 Good reasons to keep your luxury yacht in Phuket

by Royal Phuket Marina on 17 Jun 2012 With Hong Kong yachting in a state of crisis, as marinas are packed to capacity with two-year waiting lists and costs sky-rocketing, Mediterranean-style Royal Phuket Marina suggests ’10 Good Reasons’ for relocating luxury cruisers to what some regard as the most glamorous anchorage in Asia. Starting with fresh air, French Riviera-style marina living and easy access to some of Asia’s premier sailing grounds.

1. Phuket is Asia's most popular holiday island and a ‘boating tourism’ hub, voted favourite sailing venue and best regatta location in Asia in a survey of sailors at the 2011 Phuket King's Cup Regatta - Thailand’s signature annual international yachting event.

2. Phuket is blessed with a beautiful year-round climate, providing unspoiled, idyllic cruising and yachting conditions in a true tropical paradise of literally hundreds of small islands in the Andaman Sea, from Koh Phi Phi – location for Leonardo DeCaprio’s The Beach – to Krabi, Phang Nga Bay and James Bond Island. Easy access extends to west coast of Thailand and Malaysia and destinations such as Krabi [just 2 hours] and Langkawi [5 hours].

3. Phuket is emerging as the uncontested yachting playground and gateway to Asia for the world's rich and famous, with more than 200 direct international flights weekly from major tourist markets in both Asia and Europe. Phuket is also one of the most desirable leisure destinations for investors and entrepreneurs worldwide, with astounding resilience against economic downturns reflected in a 30% increase in visitors last year with 4.2 million arrivals.

4. Yacht owners can leave the waiting lists for berths in Hong Kong behind, with a great choice of marinas in Phuket – the most prestigious and state-of-the-art being luxury Mediterranean-style residential lifestyle community Royal Phuket Marina, where both wet and dry berthing slots, as well as hard stands up to 40m, are immediately available.

5. Berthing in Thailand is almost 40 per cent cheaper than in Hong Kong – with no obligation to pay additional club membership fees. For example, RPM’s monthly rate for a 60-footer is HK$9,600 plus 7% VAT. Equivalent berths in Hong Kong cost HK$15,000 – with HK$40,000 a year club membership on top!

6. Fuel in Thailand is 45 per cent cheaper than in Hong Kong.

7. Maintaining a professional crew is around 60 per cent cheaper than Hong Kong – at approximately HK$2,330 a month, compared to HK$6,215.

8. Captain Licensing in Thailand is almost 75% per cent cheaper than in Hong Kong.

9. Marina maintenance facilities at Royal Phuket Marina are internationally recognised as world-class and a cut-above anywhere else in the entire Andaman Sea.

10. Phuket’s infrastructure boasts 6 golf courses, 2 international hospitals, 2 international schools, a bounty of world-class hotels and luxury resorts and supporting tourist facilities.

For more information about Royal Phuket Marina, please visit www.royalphuketmarina.com or contact Nicolas Monges: Nicolasm@royalphuketmarina.com