2 ASIA-PACIFIC NEWS Huge potential in South-East Asia I


t was clear to see at the Asia Pacifi c Yachting Conference in April that there is a will all round to see the leisure marine industry and yachting


market in South-East Asia fl ourish. Yet, apart from reasonably well-developed strategic hubs such as Singapore, Hong Kong and more recently Thailand, marinas in the region are thin on the ground. Several new marina developments have sprung up in China, but many of those are failing to deliver to market and industry expectations, let alone contribute eff ectively to the marina network of the region. The services and infrastructures to support long-range cruising are lacking at most destinations. However, that may be about to


change. With 27 projects undertaken in the region in the past seven years and another 16 potential projects currently in the pipeline, Camper & Nicholsons Marinas is an active player in changing the face of marinas in the region. Camper & Nicholsons’ highly


successful fi rst project in China, Sanya Serenity Marina in Hainan, prompted a fl urry of other business opportunities in the region, including Oceania Point Marina in Guangdong. This led to the formation of Camper & Nicholsons First Eastern (CNFE) in 2011. A joint venture between UK-based


Camper & Nicholsons Marinas and First Eastern, a well-established Hong Kong based Investment Group, CNFE has a full-time presence in the region served from offi ces in Hong Kong. Since then, CNFE has completed feasibility and


concept design projects for marinas all over the South-East Asian region, including Tanjung Aru in Malaysia and Ana Marina in Vietnam, plus Haiyang International Yacht Club and several other marina projects in China. Bill Green, Technical Director


of Camper & Nicholsons Marinas and oversight Manager for CNFE, commented: “There is a big opportunity for us, given the huge potential that exists in the market in South-East Asia. The region possesses some of the fi nest cruising grounds in the world and a host of multi-cultural attractions – perfect for those looking for that alternative and unique experience – and from a business perspective, dynamic economies.” However, the long distances


between marina destinations make for challenging sea passages that only the larger yachts or very experienced sailors would consider. As Bill Green pointed out in his presentation to delegates at the Asia Pacifi c Yachting Conference, “South-East Asia is a vast geographic expanse extending from India to the Pacifi c Islands. Compared with established cruising grounds, it is approximately fi ve times the size of the Caribbean and seven times the size of the Mediterranean. That in itself is possibly the biggest challenge for all of us! If we are going to develop a sustainable regional marina industry, then we all have to understand and address this challenge”. Not only does the geography


of the region pose challenges for yacht owners, bureaucratic Port of


Entry formalities in some countries deter yachting activities. High taxes on imports and luxury goods and diffi culties for foreigners to own property are an impediment in many countries within the region. Foreign investment can, in many cases, be an unattractive or diffi cult proposition. However, much of this bureaucracy is also about to change. There was active participation of


representatives of the Governments of Malaysia, Thailand and Indonesia at the Asia Pacifi c Yachting Conference, promoting their nations’ attributes and dedication to building a ‘yacht tourism’ industry in the region. Not only that, but they also announced positive initiatives to encourage more international vessels into the area with taxation rules being relaxed and tourist visas being extended, all moves which will remove restraints and enable foreign yacht owners and crews to stay in a South-East Asian marina destination for longer.


So the big question is, “How do we capture the opportunity?” and


Survey of Australian marinas


The Marina Industries Association (MIA) has announced the release of the Club Marine 2015 Health of the Australian Marina Industry Survey. This survey of Australian marinas builds on previous data released in 2009, 2011 and 2013. The collaborative research is a result of a unique long-term research partnership between the Recreational Marine Research Centre (RMRC) at Michigan State University and the MIA with the


MARINA ASIA-PACIFIC • MAY 2016


active participation of many Australian marinas. The survey provides extensive


data and analysis based on a robust 40% sample of Australia’s 346 marinas. The information in the 127-page report provides details relating to the economic, social and environmental performance of marinas in general, marinas located in different regions, as well as different type and sizes of marinas. The 2015 survey also provides valuable trend data and analysis.


Its findings reveal that


Australian marinas are financially healthy and over half of the


marinas expect revenues to grow in the 2015-2016 financial year. The majority of marinas continue to undertake various measures to enhance their facilities and the quality of the service(s) offered. The findings also strongly suggest that there continues to be ‘demand’ for marinas to add storage spaces and customer services.


Bill Green believes the answer is, “The objective has to be to reduce the sailing times between marinas and provide more safe destinations with the appropriate level of services. At this moment in time, much of the region depends and will continue to depend upon transient business. Let us help the local politicians to encourage that, as facility-led domestic markets will take a number of years to develop before they can support ‘homeport’ marinas for locally-owned vessels. New marinas also need the support of charter vessels to attract both local and international sailors. Good marinas in key locations are needed to provide the necessary network. Also, 500 to1,000-berth marinas with exclusive yacht clubs are not the answer: 50 to 200-berth marinas are – Thailand is a good model to follow”. He went on to say: “It’s a time for


marina consultants and operators like ourselves to work collaboratively with governments, property developers and other industry players to improve, build and boost yachting in the region. A team eff ort with experienced guidance is a must do”. Camper & Nicholsons Marinas


has yet to fi nd the right project to put its brand to, but with all the current marinas due to launch in 2016 or 2017 and bids in on several projects in Malaysia, Indonesia, China and Vietnam, the right opportunity to manage a top-quality marina in Asia is surely just around the corner for this experienced company.


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