Simply Abu Dhabi XXXV

2 2 6 S I M P LY A B U DH A B I Where does the growth inAsia lie? It’s relatively uneasy to predict, even in a place like Phuket which is going to become the epicentre of yachting in Asia. Yacht Haven marina can take up to 10-15 yachts, some of which are 100m+. Similarly, for charter, in 2018-19 we have had some really high-quality boats in the area, such as Lady E, Talisman Maiton, My Sky – they picked up a few charters each, but again it’s not like there was an invasion of charter guests, which is itself a large part of the area’s appeal. The Asian population is at some point going to be the driving force of this activity in Asia. At present, it is still at the very beginning of the discovery phase, but our experience tells us that once Asian clients charter a yacht, they love it. Burgess in Asia recently secured a mainland Chinese charter for a week on board Titania, and interestingly enough, we have had two Asian clients who tried chartering a yacht once, loved it and then bought a yacht. What is the game plan for furthering the knowledge of Thailand has a cruising ground? The first steps are the biggest obstacle. It’s incredibly difficult because people don’t have the cultural exposure to yachting. On the other hand, there are two factors that I have observed and find exciting for the future of yachting. In Asia, when you look at the big families and the type of occasions that they love, cruise ships are high on the agenda. It’s something that is very established in the culture, and Asian HNWI’s are happy to take large groups of 20-30 people on a cruise ship – in the Mediterranean and throughout the world. Both diving and fishing are popular sports in Thailand, and for good reason because the whole region is a fabulous diving and fishing ground. White Rabbit, for example, is a pure diving and fishing boat, owned by a fishing family. In addition, Asian clients (especially those from mainland China), love to visit places that are unpolluted. There is this notion that holidaying on an island is the ultimate destination, which is why Phuket is so popular. The trend for mainland Chinese to holiday in Phuket is huge, and flies in the face of stereotypes that suggest they prefer to not holiday in sunny destinations. When you put the three circles of interest together – cruising, diving and fishing, and unpolluted areas – you find that yachting is in the centre. Jean Marc Poullet, Chairman of Burgess in Asia A zure waters and clear skies have secured the Mediterranean as the go-to cruising ground for superyachts in the summer season, while the warmer climates and tropical beaches have made the Caribbean the traditional preferred winter destination. But for all-year-round cruising in enticingly warm waters, where service is second to none, and end-to-end luxury paves the way for an unrivalled charter experience, Thailand is hard to beat, says Jean- Marc Poullet, Chairman of Burgess in Asia.