NICHOLAS MONGES

Managing Director at Asia Global Yachting

Please tell us a little about your background & how you became involved in the yachting industry.

I used to work for the Royal Phuket Marina. I helped organize the Singapore and Thailand Yacht Shows and then I moved on to work for the Phuket, Singapore and Phuket Rendezvous boat shows. I have always been around boats since I was a child and I love boating.

Please tell us about the scope of your company’s activities and the brands that you represent.

Asia Global Yachtin has many activities including new sales. We also act as a brokerage firm, do yacht charter and management, and we do yacht refurbishment and maintenance as well.

Why do you enjoy the yachting lifestyle so much?

I’ve been yachting since I was a young,I find it one of the most unique ways to get away from it all. For me, yachting means enjoying family time and relaxing at sea without anyone around.

How were you able to adapt your business and keep going during the pandemic?

We did suffer a lot like everyone else, but we did restructure our marketing to target Thais that could not travel abroad. We had many Thai clients came from Bangkok, Koh Samui and Surat Thani to charter boats in Phuket.

What can be done to make Thailand more visible as a superyacht destination?

First, the superyacht infrastructure on the island has to improve, so we can keep the superyachts here longer and compete with the Mediterranean and the Caribbean. Then we need better marketing: we really need international yachting agents to highlight Thailand to their customers, not just as a stopover, but as a destination. We also need to make it easier for superyachts to charter here so that they can at least cover their costs.

What makes Phuket such an attractive yachting destination for your clients?

First, the water temperature, it is warm all year round. Then there’s the great weather, the white-sand beaches, the water sports, many beautiful boats and the beautiful flora and fauna that make diving spectacular. In short, Phuket has everything for you.