Special Events

May 8 marked the conclusion of the 21st Annual Genoa mega yacht charter yacht show.  The industry-only event that draws the top luxury charter brokers and charter journalists from around the world. Held at Marina Molo Vecchio, the Genoa boat show showcased 65 mega yacht Mediterranean yacht charter vessels, although it attracted 100 fewer brokers than last year, most likely due to the economy.

The number of megayacht and superyacht vessels that are actually in the show is based on the number that can fit at the available dockage. As is the case each year, several mega yacht owners were disappointed, as a few superyachts were left on the waiting list.

Organized by the Mediterranean Yacht Brokers Association (MYBA), many yachting-related vendors set up booths along the docks and represented diverse products, from yacht insurance to hotel and tourism destinations. The most common yachts desired for Mediterranean yachting vacations are motoryachts, in contrast with the private sailing yachts that dominate the Caribbean yacht charter marketplace.  Supporting this distinction, the majority of yachts in the Genoa show were motoryachts, with the largest being the 70+ meter superyacht models, Boadicea and Haida G.

There were also a number of new yachts with new crew at the show, which bodes well for an industry aching to expand beyond the economic downturn.  New private luxury charter yachts include LEO FUN, BIG CITY, PAOLYRE, SALU, SLIPSTREAM, and many more.

While the 2008 season was sluggish due to the global economic meltdown, many brokers in attendance cite an uptick in the number of inquiries for a summertime charter.  Indeed, brokers, owners, and crew are all optimistic for a rebound in luxury mega yacht charter vacations this summer.