In its third year, bookings for the 2005 Phuket Boatshow (PIMEX), which will be held from 8 to 11 December at the Phuket Boat Lagoon Marina, are ahead of 2004 numbers at the same time of year, while visitor pre-registrations are coming in at a rate never seen during the first two years of the show.

“We’ve lost a few local exhibitors this year, probably because they’ve worked out how to use the show without actually exhibiting, but the bookings from yacht sales agents, brokers and builders have more than compensated. We currently stand at 85% of all space booked, compared to 70% at this time last year,” said Grenville Fordham, managing director of organizers Image Asia Events. Fordham is also the current Chairman of the Marine Alliance of Thailand.

Exhibitors at PIMEX 2005 include companies from Hong Kong, China, Taiwan, Indonesia, Australia, France, Germany, Italy, UK, USA, New Zealand, Malaysia, Singapore and throughout Thailand.

According to Fordham, while last December’s tsunami has had no noticeable impact on international bookings, Hurricane Katrina in the USA has. “We had three cancellations from the USA this month, all citing Katrina as the cause,” he said. It was too early to tell whether Hurricane Wilma, the latest disaster to hit the USA, will have a further impact on PIMEX, he said, adding, “We can only imagine what it must be like for the organizers of a huge show like Ft Lauderdale to have to postpone the show indefinitely at such short notice. We sympathize with them and their exhibitors and wish them luck in getting the show back on track as soon as possible.”

While PIMEX 2004 saw air-conditioned space increase by 40% over the first year, this year the organizers decided to hold with the same space, and put effort into improving quality of the waterside displays. New features outside are air-conditioned waterside and on-water VIP Pavilions, booked by Simpson Marine and Max Marine and a bigger on-water display by Lee Marine.

“This has paid off,” said, Image Asia director Andy Dowden. “Interest – and therefore bookings – outside the marquees are higher this year than ever. We’ll have many more boats in the water and on the hardstand. The idea is to generate more glamour, particularly in the outside areas, and we believe the number of new models, combined with the new format, will achieve that.”

Boat displays include a new model Jeanneau power boat from Lee Marine, the return of the hugely popular X2K from Derani Yachts, and the novel ‘Speed Needle’ from Germany, represented in Asia by Asia Superyachts. The Speed Needle comes in a variety of formats, include a 2-seater ‘boy’s toy’, a futuristic water taxi and an open-air, waterborne movie theatre. A demonstration model of the speed needle will be in the water at PIMEX 2005 for those speedlovers who want to give it a try.

A notable first-time entry into the show is Thailand’s biggest boat builder, SEAT, with boats on the hardstand and a significant display inside the halls. Pattaya-based SEAT, who have a Phuket branch at the PIMEX venue, the Phuket Boat Lagoon, have been watching the show from the sidelines for two years. They have taken the plunge with a big presence for the third PIMEX.

Property will again be a significant feature at PIMEX. Leading the field in the property sector are Raimon Land, firm believers in the synergy between boating and property sales, and Immobilien Plus, a recent arrival on the Phuket property scene, will be using PIMEX 2005 to launch its new top-end villa development near Ao Yon. Asia Superyachts will be promoting their exclusive villa portfolio, predominantly in Indonesia.

For local property developers who want to be a part of PIMEX in a smaller way, organizers Image Asia are again putting together a joint Phuket Property Pavilion. But this year, the area will be open plan and decorated to fit in with the island lifestyle theme. “We plan a relaxed environment, where visitors can wander through the different displays, have a coffee and chat to exhibitors,” said Fordham.

Backing the property sector at PIMEX, Marriott’s Phuket Beach Club is offering free 3-night accommodation vouchers at the JW Marriot to any exhibitor who wants to invite clients to visit PIMEX. Exhibitors and visitors who want to know more about the Marriot offer should visit Marriott’s Phuket Beach Club at the Phuket & Samui Property Exhibition at the Hong Kong Convention & Exhibition Centre, 11-13 November 2005, or call +66 76-338-161 or call toll free from Hong Kong 800-965737; e-mail: Phuket.preview@vacationclub.com

Contact information:
Image Asia Events
Tel: +66 (0) 7626 4491
Fax: +66 (0) 7626 4454
E-mail: boatshow@image-asia.com
Web site: www.phuketboatshow.com