While the summertime might shine for yachting holidays in the Mediterranean, this spring has shown several Asian destinations – such as Singapore and Abu Dhabi – rising in popularity as centres for luxury yachting getaways.
As an indication of their rising profiles, Abu Dhabi launched a high-class yacht show just three years ago and Singapore hosted its first such event just this spring. With both cities enjoying extensive waterfronts, clear blue waters and ports aplenty, boating enthusiasts have come from all over the world to sail in luxury.
These destinations also open up the yachting holiday season, with more favourable weather found in the spring and autumn months as opposed to strictly the summer season. This has further buoyed holidays in Abu Dhabi and Singapore through their traditionally popular months.
“We’ll have to wait to see how it evolves, but most of the people in the industry think it’s just a matter of time before this area takes off,” said Pierre Baz, business development director of Abu Dhabi MAR. “We wouldn’t have set up a shipyard in Abu Dhabi, and have Abu Dhabi MAR working out of the Middle East, if that weren’t the case.”
However, time-honoured destinations in the Mediterranean still have a positive outlook for holidays in 2011, according to Christophe Gerke of DeBirs Yachts.
“The luxury yachting industry has seen a big difference recently but everything is looking pretty good for 2011,” he told Synfo News amidst the Abu Dhabi Yacht Show. “There are so many marina projects evolving, not only in the Red Sea but also in the Mediterranean, and it’s very exciting.”
