When it comes to cruising destinations, we often talk of “the Med” and “the Caribbean,” not individual countries. It makes sense, since the regions, vs. single ports, are explored all season long. That’s why a handful of country-specific industry groups in the South Pacific have switched gears. They’ve now formed South Pacific Superyachting (whose website should be live soon).
South Pacific Superyachting brings together Australia, Fiji, New Zealand, and Tahiti. To be clear, each country’s yachting-industry association, such as NZ Marine and Tourism Tahiti, will remain. However, those associations have banded together to make South Pacific Superyachting essentially a one-stop-shopping portal. It’s intended a resource for megayacht captains and other members of the owners’ team, plus owners and guests themselves.
Visiting megayachts already make multiple visits throughout the entire region. South Pacific Superyachting will provide information on the best routes to follow, for example, plus details on marinas and unspoiled anchorages. It will also provide details on on-shore destinations. For megayachts needing repairs or other service, South Pacific Superyachting will list the various refit yards throughout the region. Of course, should an owner wish to commission a new megayacht, yacht builders’ contact information will additionally be listed.
Making matters easier for South Pacific Superyachting: tourism-friendly regulations. Australia, Fiji, New Zealand, and Tahiti have all in recent years extended the time that yachts can stay in their waters. The governments have taken a keen interest in attracting yachting’s ultra-high-net-worth tourists.
Efforts are ongoing to develop the area more for charter as well. South Pacific Superyachting’s members are petitioning each government to streamline entry laws governing for-hire activity. Australia has already made it easier for non-Australian flagged yachts to charter in its waters, for example. Due to this, and the anticipated increased interest in the overall region, DYT Yacht Transport has scheduled its largest ship to take yachts from the Med in November to Tahiti and then Sydney, Australia as well as Auckland, New Zealand by the end of January. (The vessel will depart from Genoa, Italy and make stops first in the Caribbean, Florida, and Costa Rica before transiting the Pacific.)
Ultimately, South Pacific Superyachting has a quite specific, ambitious goal: by 2018, double the number of visiting megayachts and the number of days they visit.
“Destinations within the region have all worked hard to promote their own cruising grounds, and as a by-product of that promotion, the greater region,” sums up Maryanne Edwards, CEO of Superyacht Australia. “The four countries offer sheltered coves, ports, superyacht marinas, and of course thousands of unpopulated islands and beaches for yacht owners, family, and friends to enjoy.”
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