The very first edition of the Phuket Rendezvous drew to a close last week, with organisers reporting the inaugural event a success. Hosted from 4th until 7th January in Phuket, Thailand, a total of six superyachts attended in total, the largest being the 46.5-metre Latitude, pictured below.
Photo: Shelton du PreezHosted at the Royal Phuket Marina, the luxury, lifestyle event replaced the 14-year old Phuket International Boat Show (PIMEX) and featured 50 yachts in total, with brokers and industry professionals from around the world in attendance and participants appearing from more than 40 countries worldwide.
As well as live music, superyacht visits, drinks events and tasting events, the event also hosted a truly diverse series of seminars from experts throughout the show across various industries, including a Nikon Photography workshop, a seminar on Italian Design Developments in Yachting, a seminar on sustainable yachting and even a history of smoked fish!
Highlights of the social calendar at the show included the Simpson Marine Monte Carlo Yachts Mediterranean Fiesta party and the Christofle Yacht Style Awards. Elephant statues also made an appearance in order raise awareness for elephant conservation, as organised by the social enterprise group, Elephant Parade. Although the number of attendees has not yet been confirmed, organisers expected around 10,000 guests at the event.
As well as superyachts, the bustling Royal Phuket Marina was transformed into a hub for all things luxury, including gourmet cuisine, properties, supercars and watches, high fashion and art. Next year's Phuket Rendezvous is expected to take place in the first week of January 2019.
Images by Phuket Rendezvous and Simpson Marine Thailand