Thai Yamaha Motor hopes for a better outlook for the marine sports market as tourism picks up in line with the economic recovery next year. "We have seen hotel room occupancy, especially in many tourism spots such as Koh Samui and Phuket, has been rising steadily and that is helpful for marine sports products," said Thanachai Lekvanichkul, head of Thai Yamaha Motor's marine products division.

Niche products such as jet skis, which are popular among the rich and tourists, are sensitive to changes in the tourism industry. If there are no negative factors such as political tension or more outbreaks of H1N1 influenza, marine sports demand should improve next year.

The market has declined by about 20 percent this year from 2008 because of the impact from the economic downturn, political unrest and H1N1.

The products are all imported and include jet skis and outboard motors..

Mr. Thanachai said Thai Yamaha's products, like those of other suppliers, had recorded lower sales this year.

However, it expects to post total sales revenue of slightly more than Bt200 million this year from 200 jet skis and 600 outboard motors, a 10 percent decrease from 2008, which is half the contraction of the whole market.

Thai Yamaha dominates the market with an 80 percent share in both jet skis and outboard motors. It offers six models of Wave Runner jet skis, with two- and four-stroke engines from 700 to 1,800cc. Prices range from Bt200,000 to more than Bt500,000. It has 80 models of outboard motors with 350 horsepower being the top model. Prices range from Bt20,000 to more than Bt1 million.

Its main customers mostly reside in major tourist areas such Phuket, Krabi, Samui, Pattaya and Bangkok.

About 60 percent of Thai Yamaha's jet skis are sold for commercial use by operators who rent them out to tourists, while 70 percent of outboard motors are for commercial use and the rest for personal use. –