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Created by the organisers of the Singapore Yacht Show in partnership with the Thai government, the event has been attracting industry leaders and consumers since its inception in 2016. It has now become the focal point of the luxury charter yacht business in Asia-Pacific.

Apart from the latest yachts from leading manufacturers, the event also showcased world-class luxury lifestyle products and services to cater to Asia's growing demographic of ultra-high net-worth individuals and yachting enthusiasts.

Representatives from the world's leading yacht brands and brokers were at hand to advise new and experienced yacht owners about boat purchases, their maintenance, charter and cruising opportunities, berthing options and much more.

The immersive event allowed visitors to get onto the boats and walk through them, along with watching on-water demonstrations. Visitors could also dive, quite literally, into adrenaline-spiking activities like swimming, snorkeling, cruising and island-hopping among the crystal waters of the Andaman Sea.

Indian yachting and boating enthusiasts, increasingly hotfooting to the show, networked with yacht retailers and importers.

Phuket, the yachting playground of Asia, has been steadily attracting footfalls from India facilitated by direct air connectivity. GoAir recently became the first airline to commence daily direct flights from Mumbai, Delhi and Bengaluru to Phuket.

Royal Phuket Marina, often described as the `Monaco of Asia' for its elegance, is silhouetted against the jaw-dropping Phang Nga Bay. It offers some of the most beautiful cruising grounds and has a yachting infrastructure that has been fundamental to building a yachting community and marine industry in Thailand.

Many international yacht owners choose to keep their yachts here to sail to the nearby stunning islands, beaches and clear seas. As the only architecturally-designed marina and waterfront community in Thailand, the marina was awarded 5-Gold Anchor status by The Yacht Harbour Association (UK).

Indian yachters are increasingly buying yachts and keeping them in Phuket to enjoy the sport. In Thailand, the import duties are zero while in India, a 60% import duty makes it prohibitive to own and maintain such boats.