A positive season for yacht charter in the Mediterranean
When questioned at the end of summer 2018, professional boat rental companies were anticipating a good year in the Mediterranean basin. The season started very early, from the end of March, to end late, at the end of October. The expected increase is in the range of 4 to 6%.
More boaters in Greece and less in Croatia
The favorite destinations of yachtsmen are changing. Croatia remains the number one base for yacht charters in the Mediterranean, but it is losing momentum to Greece. The country is suffering from too many boats and a drop in the number of booking weeks and revenues. "Marinas are becoming too expensive, there is a transfer to Greece," confirms Emmanuel Allot of Sunsail.
Turkey is also enjoying a good recovery after some difficult years.
More motorboats and short term rentals
Boaters are choosing larger boats for cruising. Catamarans continue to grow in number of boats and in size, going from an average of 42 to 45 feet in 3 years. The monohull rented is generally around 48 feet.
On the French coast, boat rental companies have noted a strong increase in short-term rentals, mainly in favor of motorboats. The exceptional weather conditions of the summer have certainly reinforced this trend.
A breeding ground for sailboats in Eastern Europe
Professional yacht charter companies have noted a return of Italian customers to French bases and a real dynamism in emerging markets, particularly Eastern Europe. "There is an evolution in favor of motor catamarans, but I am worried about the development of bareboat charter, which will be stable at best in the mature European markets. Either the ports put in entertainment and skippers to train, copying the ski resorts, or it is the death of sailing in the long term. There is a real approach to be taken," explains Emmanuel Allot. "Fortunately, there is a breeding ground in countries like Bulgaria, Romania, Hungary or Serbia."
High demands and low skills
All the professionals agree on the increase in expectations of boaters, in terms of on-board equipment and services, such as the proposal of diving or kite-surfing activities, but also the reception. "There is real work to be done on the first day at the base," concedes Emmanuel Allot.
In inverse proportion to the demands, the skills of the renters are declining, despite easier-to-use boats. "We have a lot of people who don't know anything about boats and therefore more and more breakages on the boats. This leads to problems in repairing the boat in time for the next rental," explains Odon Van Gaver of Kiriacoulis.
Relationships to be improved with internet rental platforms
In order to expand their offer, the boat rental platforms on the Internet, born for the offer between individuals, have opened up to professionals. The immediacy of these reservations generally makes it difficult to accompany customers, which distinguishes the rental companies from the trade. "We don't have the time to call to re-specify the request as we do for direct reservations," regrets Emmanuel Allot. Platforms and rental companies have become essential to each other and will have to continue the dialogue.
