Pattaya marina hosts boat show to promote EEC
In a move to capitalise on the government’s Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) scheme, Ocean Marina Pattaya is set to host a boat show this November, hoping the event will help strengthen the eastern coast as a hub for marine tourism.
Tirachai Pipitsupaphol, managing director of Ocean Property, the owner of Ocean Marina Pattaya, said the Gulf of Thailand has natural assets both offshore and onshore, especially for the high-tech industry and tourism sector, judging from significant government and private investments.
The government expects the EEC, which will span over 30,000 rai in three provinces on the Eastern Seaboard — Chon Buri, Rayong and Chachoengsao — to draw some 1.5 trillion baht in investments from private and public sectors over five years, providing at least 100,000 new jobs a year.
“With the momentum of investment on the Eastern Seaboard, marine tourism will continue booming over the coming years,” Mr Tirachai said.
The boat show is scheduled during Nov 23-26 and expects to draw more than 150 businesses involved in marine and water tourism to showcase their products and services. Some 6,000 visitors, both local and from overseas, are expected to join the show.
This year the displays will be bigger than ever, including superyachts priced more than 200 million baht per vessel.
Pattaya has long been a famous leisure destination for local and international tourists. In the first half of this year, 8 million tourists visited Pattaya, a 15% increase from same period last year. And Ocean Marina Yacht Club is positioned to serve marine activities and lifestyles.
The show generates a minimum of 2 billion baht annually for the marine and tourism industry on the East Coast through trade at the show and business stimulated throughout the year.
Scott Finsten, the harbourmaster of Ocean Marina Yacht Club, said the government is pouring a large amount of funds into EEC development on the Eastern Seaboard through high-tech industrial zones.
Planned megaprojects include the expansion of U-tapao airport and a high-speed rail linking three airports: Don Mueang, Suvarnabhumi and U-tapao.
Other big investments include the third phase of the Laem Chabang deep-sea port, the third phase of the Map Ta Phut deep-sea port, and a double-track rail network linking Laem Chabang, Map Ta Phut and Sattahip deep-sea ports, all of which should drive marine tourism on the Eastern Seaboard.
“In terms of day trips from Ocean Marina to islands near Pattaya during the first half this year, 18,000 people on average took a trip per month, up 60% year-on-year,” Mr Finsten said.
This January, the Phuket International Marine Expo 2017 saw thousands of exhibitors and visitors from across the region join the event.
Phuket markets itself as an international destination for luxury tourists.