Return to growth in boat rental
After some very difficult times, the yacht charter industry has regained its smile and optimism. Dream Yacht Charter, the industry leader, confirms the return of encouraging figures for the sector. "If we had a 50% drop on cabin cruising, the growth is in 3 digits on private boat rental compared to 2019. Our new clientele is younger. It is easier for them to change their vacation habits. They are also less sailors, as evidenced by the increase in skippered rentals. In August 2021, we are growing by +2.5% compared to August 2019, before the Covid. If someone had told me that at the beginning of the year, I would have signed up!" says Loïc Bonnet, founder and manager of Dream Yacht Charter.
Perennial lessons from Covid-19
While the consequences of Covid-19 were severe for the boat rental operator, bringing in new shareholders and reducing the boat fleet by about 10%, from 1,050 to 932 units, it also brought positive lessons. "The opening of our "covid bases", such as in Italy, Florida or Newport, is set to remain. This year, 50 boats went back and forth between the Caribbean and Europe. I think that we are going to perpetuate this. It's also positive in terms of sustainable development, as it reduces the distance to the port of departure" explains Loïc Bonnet.
On this aspect, the founder of Dream Yacht Charter, when asked about the rental of motor catamarans, which are not very present in his catalog, indicates: "the idea would be rather to go directly to the future electric or at least hybrid boats"
Ambitions for rapid development in the digital sector
Under the new financial arrangement, the PPF fund has become the main shareholder. It holds 60% of the joint venture with the Bénéteau group, which itself owns 87% of Dream Yacht Charter. Fountaine-Pajot has been diluted to around 1%, while its partner Next Stage holds 8%. The remaining shares are held by the management. Specializing in the digital world, PPF intends to focus in the field to accelerate growth. "We are not lifeguards, we are here to develop Dream Yacht Charter. People like Click&Boat have a strong financial support and we will have to run to keep our place" concludes Didier Stoessel, in charge of the file within PPF.
