After eight successful years, Phuket Raceweek organisers, Image Asia Events, announced the conclusion of a multi-year deal with new title sponsor -- Cape Panwa Hotel.
Cape Panwa Hotel Phuket Raceweek comprises of four days of world-class yacht racing in the windy southwest monsoon and four nights of magical beachside parties, which will all be captured by international TV broadcast to 140 million households.
The regatta, running over six or seven classes from 18 - 22 July 2012, was voted Best Asian Regatta at the 2011 Asia Boating Awards and has gained a reputation for its competitive racing for the serious boats and fun courses around the islands for amateur racers. It’s also the first event on the 2012/2013 Asian Yachting Grand Prix Circuit.
Online registration is open at www.phuketraceweek.com/registration, with a great deal for early bird entrants. Participants wanting to book accommodation at special regatta rates at either Cape Panwa Hotel or Kantary Bay Hotel should visit www.phuketraceweek.com/accommodation.
People want to charter a yacht to race should visit the regatta website. There are some amazing charter offers, such as a fast cruising catamaran, with many podium places to its credit, for only USD 2,400 for six days.
“Cape Panwa Hotel and its sister property, Kantary Bay Hotel, give us the opportunity to lift the standards of Phuket Raceweek even higher than before, while introducing some welcome new elements -- such as Cape Panwa Hotel’s stunning beach and beachside gardens,” said Image Asia’s managing director, Grenville Fordham. “This agreement means that we continue to race in the same waters in and around Chalong Bay that are so popular with regatta participants, that we keep our signature ‘one regatta, one venue’ format -- and that we have security of venue beyond 2012,” he added.
According to Fordham, the Cape Panwa Hotel deal is testimony to the attraction of Phuket Raceweek as a commercial sponsorship platform. “This is not a charitable deal. Cape Panwa Hotel owners, Kasemkij Hotels, have taken a commercial decision and expect a return on their investment,” he said.
“We’re excited to be partnering with one of the region’s top regattas,” said Tirawan Pangsrivongse, Kasemkij Hotels’ project development manager, adding, “Sports tourism is the fastest growing sector in the global travel and tourism industry and Phuket is the sports tourism centre for Thailand. Leisure yachting and yacht racing are at the pinnacle of high-end sports tourism and this new partnership is a perfect fit with our position in the market.”
Lining up alongside Cape Panwa Hotel in one of the top sponsorship slots is worldwide regatta sponsor, Mount Gay Rum, who used the 2011 regatta as the Thailand launch platform of the sailors’ favourite tipple. After the huge success of their 2011 participation, they have increased their investment this year, returning as presenting sponsor.
This article was sponsored by Image Asia.
