PHUKET HOSTS FIRST THAI DIVING TRADE SHOW

Thailand’s first trade show featuring its numerous diving sites opened in Phuket on December 12.

About 90 buyers and sellers, including diving operators and instruction schools as well as industry professionals and operators of diving vacations are attending the mart until December 14.

Organised by the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) at the Royal Phuket City Hotel, the Phuket Diving Mart is aimed at promoting the exciting diving destinations in the aquamarine waters off Phuket and two other Andaman Sea provinces, Phang Nga and Krabi.

Presiding over the opening ceremony, TAT Governor Pradech Phayakvichien said, “Diving is growing rapidly as a popular pastime for both professionals and new learners. It is also one of our fast-growing niche markets.

“The Diving Mart will open up opportunities for divers from around the world as well as for Thai tourists to enjoy our superb diving spots in some of the most beautiful parts of South Thailand, known for their superb coral reefs and diversity of marine life.”

Governor Pradech said that both international and domestic divers spend more and stay longer than normal tourists which helps disseminate income to related businesses at all levels including charter ferry operators, diving schools and equipment centres, accommodation, restaurants and domestic transportation.

Buyers at the mart are to be taken on familiarisation trips to some of these sites around Phi Phi Island, Racha Yai and Racha Noi Islands, Shark Point and Dok Mai Island. The entire Andaman Sea area is home to many unspoiled marine national parks including Phi Phi Island, Phang Nga Bay, Lanta Island and Similan Island.

Phuket has been chosen as the venue because of its immense global popularity as an international marine tourism resort and strong aviation connections. Much investment has also gone into improving the infrastructure for marine tourism. For example, a modern 147-million-baht seaport at

Chalong Bay was opened in October 2001 to accommodate cruisers, yachts and other marine crafts that will take the divers out to sea.
A total of 50 Thai exhibitors registered for the show to meet an estimated 40 foreign buyers, trade visitors and industry professionals who are selling and promoting diving tour programmes to Thailand.

Sourced by TAT’s 15 overseas offices world-wide, the buyers will attend the main trade show, get an opportunity to do business at table-top meetings, and also attend a detailed product briefing.

Governor Pradech said, “The event will allow buyers to see for themselves the high quality of infrastructure, facilities and services for divers, including equipment, personnel, safety and security as well as other related services and products.”