Yacht Charter Fleet takes a detailed look at the charter market, bringing together findings from its intelligence system and industry broker feedback as well as the recently released Camper & Nicholsons report, The State of Wealth, Luxury and Yachting 2016.
On the cusp of the 2016 summer charter season, we round up the previous 12 months of charter activity and predict what’s in store for the year ahead. Topics covered include the popularity of certain destinations and the latest booking trends.
Based on our findings, in summer 2015, the Mediterranean saw a shortage of quality charter yachts measuring over 60 metres in length, particularly in the peak month of August.
This observation was backed up by Camper & Nicholsons, who reported that almost all charter yachts over 40 metres were booked up during the popular summer months of July and August with clients waiting for a last minute charter deal often missing out.
Such circumstances seem to be having an affect on bookings for the 2016 summer season as charterers are already booking up to avoid disappointment and we suggest you follow suit.
New builds are slowing filtering onto the market and will hopefully help to rectify this situation in the coming years.
In regards to Mediterranean destinations, there has been a number of accounts on how the current political situation in Turkey will affect its superyacht charter industry as well as the Turkish tourist industry in general.
In response to this situation, our research reveals that many yachts usually based in Turkey will be heading to Croatia and Montenegro for summer 2016.
Greece is likewise a country under much scrutiny due to its recent economic woes and the ongoing refugee crisis. However, as our article on how Greece expects an exceptional summer charter season unveils, things are in fact looking up for the country.
The World Tourism Organisation has predicted a positive year for Greek tourism, the volume of airline passengers at Athens International Airport recorded a record high for the first quarter of 2016 and, more specifically for the superyacht industry, Greece remains a safe harbour with the EU-Turkey migration deal now in action.
Of these cruising grounds, the Camper & Nicholsons report said: “The East Mediterranean has fluctuated more, with its stunning scenery versus political situation, each vying for control, but on balance it’s an area of improving popularity.”
Demand for West Mediterranean yacht charters, however, is slowly declining as more exotic destinations become accessible and charterers become more adventurous, according to the C&N report.
Looking back to the 2015/16 winter season, our findings reveal that yacht charter business in the Caribbean was slower than previous years and, accordingly, brokers have confirmed less yachts will now be available in the region for the winter 2016/17 season.
However, brokers have confirmed that bookings over Christmas and the New Year in the Caribbean are already being made, so guests hoping to undertake a charter over this period should finalise their plans as soon as possible.
If you are interested in chartering a luxury yacht, please speak to your preferred charter broker.
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