Phuket King’s Cup Regatta Under Royal Patronage will organize its 30th Anniversary this year in partnership with Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (TCEB) for the second consecutive year. The partnership honors a significant milestone in the successful history of competitive sailing and sports tourism in Thailand. The strong support from Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau helps to grow the reputation of the Regatta and promote Phuket as the MICE hub of ASEAN, in line with Phuket's policy to make this province a 'World Sports Paradise.' Through these efforts, Phuket will continue to bolster its strengths in attracting notable sporting events such as golf, tennis and beach volleyball.
TCEB is a public organization that works toward establishing Thailand as Asia's premier business events destination. The organization has recognized the potential of the Phuket King’s Cup Regatta to align with its 5-Year Master Plan which aims to promote Phuket as a regional hub for corporate and organizational tourism.
Nopparat Maythaveekulchai, President of Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau or TCEB explains, “TCEB has a 5-year Master Plan that takes aim at the continued growth and development of creative and rewarding business events in Thailand. The main goals have been to increase revenues and establish Thailand as Asia's business events hub by the end of 2016. The final event of our 2016 program is the Phuket King’s Cup Regatta, which is a perfect example of the types of significant event we will use as a platform in the future – magnetic, international, and indicative of an exciting, showcasing the vibrant capable MICE Thailand.”
Santi Kanchanabandhu of the Phuket King's Cup Regatta Organizing Committee, said, “Of course we are extremely pleased to have TCEB involved with the regatta for a second straight year. It shows that our event attracts notable international target markets and also helps to promote Phuket as the MICE city of the Andaman. The Regatta provides TCEB with an effective international medium connecting to over 1,500 sailors, VIPs and media guests from around the world, raising awareness among TCEB’s target groups. It is an aim of TCEB to establish and develop several MICE Cities around the country, and thusly to establish Thailand as a regional leader in the industry.”
The Phuket King's Cup Regatta is Asia’s biggest and most popular regatta, and has recently been awarded the prestigious 2016 Asia Boating Awards – Best Asian Regatta. It is a one-week event held annually in Phuket which this year will be held off Kata Beach from 3-10 December, 2016, with Kata Beach Resort & Spa honoring the event as Principal Host Sponsor once again. The regatta was inaugurated in 1987 to honour HM King Bhumibol Adulyadej, and also continues to commemorate the Royal grace of HM the King who for decades encouraged the promotion of sailing as a sport in Thailand. This year’s event serves to honor the memory of the King, his life and his countless achievements in the name of his beloved country.
Phuket Island itself has the potential strengths to become a successful MICE City. As a charming island and a favorite tourist destination in the Andaman Sea, Phuket has a good transport infrastructure, superb hotels, and accommodation, meeting and conference venues that are world class. It is a destination that is able to address the specific needs of MICE travelers.
Sponsors of the Phuket King’s Cup Regatta include Principal Host Sponsor Kata Group, and Strategic Partners: The Government Lottery Office (GLO), Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (TCEB), and Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT). Co-Sponsors: Central Pattana, PTT, Siam Winery & Montclair and Haadthip PCL. Media Partners includes Phuket Gazette, PGTV, Prestige, True 4 you, Madame Figaro, Luxury Society Asia, Yachtstyle, Sea Yachting, The Greater Phuket, The Guide Phuket, RL Magazine, One Coast, and Phuket Marine Guide.
Persons in the photo included are (from left): Radab Kanjanavanit, Thai Sailor and Phuket King's Cup Regatta Organizing Committee member; Kevin Whitcraft, President of Phuket King’s Cup Regatta Organizing Committee; Puripan Bunnag, Director - Domestic MICE - Department of TCEB, and Santi Kanchanabandhu, Phuket King's Cup Regatta Organizing Committee together to mark the continuing partnership between TCEB and the Phuket King’s Cup Regatta.