Following on from a successful MYS 2021 that saw the introduction of »Discover«, »Advise« and »Connect« experiences, MYS 2022 introduces »Adventure«, the »Sustainability Hub« and new-format »Yacht Design & Innovation Hub«. By Nick Jeffery[ds_preview]
The Adventure Area was announced shortly after MYS claimed it would be combining education and seduction into a »Seducation« program to attract the younger generation. The »Sapphire« experience continues too with concierge services lining up meetings in advance for those new to the world of superyachts. Monaco Yacht Summit also returns the day before the show (Tuesday 27 September) where experienced superyacht industry professionals share information from the stage, while simultaneously hoping to catch a new client from the rookie audience. The Yacht Design and Innovation Hub is growing and potential buyers new to the market would benefit from calling around a few superyacht designers before MYS to get educated on what to see and line up boat visits, before the brokers seduce them.
Recent years have witnessed much discussion about the new younger generation looking more at experiences than ownership. Quite who will end up owning the explorer yachts to cater for this demand remains to be seen but pride of ownership is unlikely to be discarded entirely and there will always be a market, albeit less ostentatious and more »rugged-4WD«-looking. Monaco Yacht Show states of the Adventure Area: »This extended exhibition for all adventure and leisure activities reflects the MYS’ continued ambition to bring visitors the finest yachting experience. Today, charter clients want to drive all-terrain vehicles to the North Pole, go on underwater excursions, take tender rides off the coast of secluded islands, enjoy tailor-made tours of historical and cultural sites in coastal destinations, discover animal species – while respecting their ecosystems – and even take part in scientific field trips.« Perhaps charterers could pay a premium in the future to experience »Superyacht Ownership« where the Captain welcomes them aboard and provides a list of issues and all the essential jobs to finance for the winter refit, discusses crew pay rises and says the media has been asking how the owner made his money…
Y.CO’s Charlie Birkett points out: »Last year’s move to become more client-centric was a definite step in the right direction, especially with the addition of the first VIP day, and we were happy that the yachts we exhibited were booked up with viewings for the duration of the show. The market has continued to pick up pace since last year; demand remains high, and we’ve heard from a lot of our clients who are planning to attend this year. All this, and the fact that supply of brokerage yachts has been slower in recent months, means that this year’s show will be a great opportunity for sellers hoping to make the most of the market in this buoyant state.« Fraser Yachts’ CEO, Raphael Sauleau, adds: »As the industry leader in environmental initiatives via our FUTURE (Fraser Unites To Universally Respect the Environment) programme, we are pleased to see the introduction of a Sustainability Hub at this year’s show, to once more help place this fundamental issue on the radar of more owners and charterers. For those buying and building yachts today, the tech and engineering that their yacht has on board is more of a consideration than ever before, both for the time they spend on board and for when they come to sell.«
As ever, MYS will have 100+ yachts quayside with as many again anchored off. As HANSA went to press, the exhibitor list was not yet online at monacoyachtshow.com however Lürssen announced that they are exhibiting »Ahpo«, a 115-metre motor yacht, penned by Nuvolari-Lenard and the largest yacht at the show, delivered at the end of 2021.
Some 450 exhibitors, described by MYS as »hand-picked« companies, representing excellence and innovation in yachting’, include designers and naval architects, yacht suppliers and service providers as well as builders of tenders and »toys«. In recent years, the show has slowly extended its exhibition offering to ultra-high-end markets by showcasing luxury products, cars and motorcycles and also helicopters as well as private jet manufacturers.
Opulent Designs International – a new producer (with Holland Marine Lifts) of carbon-fibre elevators – will be one of many prospective exhibitors, visiting builders at MYS and joining the ranks of former-exhibitors who prefer not to man a stand. A handful of marina owners and operators are set to exhibit, with the competition – to make their SUPERPORTS the choice for new yacht owners – as fierce as ever.
Summing up, Fraser’s Raphael Sauleau: »If 2020 showed the industry anything, it was that yacht shows are not essential to buying and selling yachts. However, when promoted and delivered with precision, they do offer an incredible opportunity for buyers to see some excellent yachts all in one place, as well as the opportunity to meet and greet their brokers, captains and in many cases the owners themselves.«
General Manager of the MYS Gaëlle Tallarida told HANSA: »The Monaco Yacht Show made its grand return to the international event scene in 2021, sporting a three-year development programme with a clearly-stated goal: to promote superyachting among a new generation of clients«.
