The ships sirens had sounded, signalling the end of yet another successful Monaco Yacht Show (MYS). The world’s premier superyacht show this year, celebrated its twentieth outing and has done so in great style.
The MYS represents the perfect forum for the global yachting community. In one magical place, for four days, 28,000 people[ds_preview] from all over the world gathered to see and discuss superyachts, products and services. Enjoyable and entertaining, the Show is both, a Business-to-Business and a Business-to-Consumer event for the international yachting communities seeking out quality of content and contact. While the fun and excitement is non-stop, the Show offers yachting professionals a serious opportunity to engage in an intense exchange of information throughout the days and nights. In hotels and restaurants, at the Monaco Yacht Club, aboard superyachts and on 500 exhibitors’ stands, the process goes forward against one of the world’s most glamorous backdrops. This year more than hundred superyachts from 25 to 90 m Loa lined the docks inside the Principality’s impressive Port Hercules making this year’s show the superyacht calendar’s most prestigious events.
Port Hercules is the only deep-water port in Monaco, capable of harbouring over 550, with the capability of supporting superyachts up to 300 m in length. The harbour was named after Hercules who came and cast out the old gods, and created a road through Monaco running from Italy to Spain. Port Hercules is more recently famous for the scene in the movie GoldenEye, where James Bond, played by Pirece Brosnan, tries to stop the villain Xenia Onatopp from stealing the Tiger Helicopter onboard the French warship »La Fayette«. He is thwarted by the French authorities, and the villain escapes.
As well as the yachts in the harbour there were over a hundred more at anchor in the bay outside the breakwater each playing host to their owners while they visited the Show. »Maltese Falcon«, »Twizzle«, »Bluebird«, »Pearle Bleu«, »Idol«, »Ulysses« and »RS Eden« were just some of the names that make superyacht spotters salivate.
Making a commitment against deforestation, the Prince Albert II Foundation launched the »Wood Forever« project during the Monaco Yacht Show. A € 37,000 donation was given to His Serene Highness Prince Albert II of Monaco by the organisers during his visit to the Show. It will be used to better educate all those involved in the yachting market, to only use wood certified as originating from sustainably-managed forests and stop deforestation. MYS have pledged they will continue to support the foundation in future years.
While his Serene Highness toured the MYS, he boarded two of the superyachts that received special accolades at the Show. The first was »Exuma«, a 50 m motor vessel awarded the RINA Green Plus Platinum trophy for a building beyond the minimum levels required by international regulations governing environmental protection. He also visited »Panthalassa« a 56 m sailing yacht built by Perini Navi and winner of the Prix du Design 2010 for her innovations in naval architecture and interior design.
HSH Prince Albert II was himself the recipient of an honour receiving the 2010 SeaKeeper Award, exactly one hundred years after his own great grandfather and namesake, Prince Albert I, founded what is now the science of oceanography.
Top industry specialists were positive in their praise for the Monaco Yacht Show. Michael Bremen, Sales Director, Lürssen Yachts, Germany said, »I was cautiously optimistic before the show, and the good news is now as it draws to a close I am still cautiously optimistic.«
Stephen Hills, Managing Director, Devonport Yachts, UK said, »We received more new leads than I expected at Monaco and that is a very good sign indeed.«
Visiting the MYS from the USA, John Dane III, President of Trinity Yachts, said, »The industry has seen a great improvement over the last 20 months, and we have seen many more potential clients here. The light at the end of tunnel might no longer be the headlights of a train.«
Fiona Maureso, the newly appointed Head of Charter Division, at YPI said, »This is not a charter show but it is one of the few shows that potential charter guests can get to see the yachts. Clients love to come to Monaco and it is much better than previous years.«
Exhibitors came from 37 countries around the world. Among the 500 exhibitors displaying their wares was Marco Foglizzo, of Foglizzo Custom Leather in Italy. He said, »Last year we got the impression people coming to our stand were dreaming, this year the enquiries are real. There is definitely a better quality of potential projects.«
Rene van der Velden of Rene van der Velden Yacht Design in The Netherlands had a stand at the Show as usual. He said, »It is 200 % better than last year, spirits are up and clients are willing to commission things again. If in the past it was a 45 m superyacht, now it might be a 38 m boat.«
From the UK, a country that fielded no fewer than 78 exhibitors, was Bill Dixon the Managing Director of Dixon Yacht Design. He said, »It is more positive this year at the Show. I have had good news but it would be tempting fate to say anything else right now.«
Top International brokers were equally praising the Monaco Yacht Show and its ability to bring together vendor and buyer. Miriam Cain, Communications Manager, Camper & Nicholsons, UK said, »The Monaco Yacht Show was for us one of the busiest on record and we welcomed a large number of existing and new clients. All our yachts on display received good interest, and the feeling is that the market overall continues, albeit slowly, to improve.« Toby Walker, Director of Sales, with the same company added, »We certainly have two or three pending negotiations from the show and the true result will be in the number of sales concluded and charters booked following last week’s display.«
Patrick Coote, Marketing Director, Fraser Yachts in Monaco was equally enthusiastic saying, »Wow, what a change from 2009, a truly upbeat and positive show with plenty of qualified buyers, serious discussions, realistic prices and positive negotiations. The real outcome will only be determined over the next few weeks but our whole team left the show on a high, enthused by the quality and quantity of enquiries.«
Burgess headquartered in London experienced high attendance levels of both existing and new clients from all geographical areas including a high proportion of visitors from the UAE. Alev Karagulle Director of Marketing and Communications probably best summed up the show when she said, »The acid test of the success of a boat show is never immediate and our detailed analysis of the show has yet to be conducted, but our large team of brokers were kept extremely busy with qualified client viewings and consultations throughout the four days. We have every reason to believe that the Monaco Show this year continues to be a key event in supporting our successful performance in this challenging market environment.«
With another successful Monaco Yacht Show over, exhibitions stands cleared away, additional docks removed and most of the superyachts departed it might be time for the Show organisers to have a break. Instead they are already planning a bigger and better MYS for 2011 when the Show comes of age and celebrates its 21st birthday.
