Simply Abu Dhabi XXXIV

F ounded in 2016, YOTHA aims to bring its user-oriented philosophy to all sectors of the yachting market. With a team of yachting professionals and technology experts dedicated to building the innovative platform, it handled 12 charter contracts during its first summer season after a soft launch in May 2018. Now, with more than 150 of the world’s finest luxury yachts available for charter on the platform, YOTHA has launched worldwide for the 2019 season, with hundreds more yachts from the global charter fleet being added to the platform in the coming months. YOTHA was founded by Philippe Bacou, who has owned and chartered luxury yachts for more than 15 years. Frustrated by his own experiences as an owner, he decided to create a unique digital platform that would enrich the charter experience. Based in Monaco and owned by a Luxembourg-based investment holding, it is targeting the Mediterranean, Middle East and Asian markets and will also have a presence in the USA and Caribbean. YOTHA’s digital technology aims to make yacht chartering faster, simpler and more straightforward. Offering a unique chartering experience, it allows customers to negotiate directly with the owner’s representative, book their trip online and then benefit from a free concierge service which helps guests to create their own bespoke itinerary. Visitors start by taking 360 virtual tours and browsing extensive pictures, then using the live availability feature they preselect a yacht and negotiate the charter price directly with the owner (or his agent) under the supervision of YOTHA’s 24/7 customer care team. Financial transactions are 100% secured and guaranteed under supervision of FINMA and, once the reservation is complete, guests benefit from an exclusive concierge service in association with YOTHA’s luxury concierge partner, Quintessentially. “I am excited that YOTHA now opens the way for the digital transformation of the luxury yachting industry,” says Bacou. “Our ambition is that our innovative new solution for chartering will improve the customer experience, offer new services and help attract new customers to luxury yachting. We are keen to explore fresh ways of expanding the charter business and want to form partnerships with investors, brokers and other key industry players. At YOTHA, we hope to increase the size of the market both in charter volume and services through in-depth industry co-operation.”