Greece a Champion in Super Yacht Charters

Super yacht charters in Greece increased by 20 percent over the summer placing the country in the lead compared to rival destinations, according to data presented to the European Parliament’s TRAN meeting in Brussels by George Vernicos, president of Vernicos Yachts.

Greece is one of the most popular yachting destinations in the world with more than 170,000 vessels of all sizes available for charter.

Vernicos, who is also Greek Tourism Confederation (SETE) secretary general and representative of tourism to the European Economic and Social Committee, noted that Greece recorded the highest number of charters of 20 meter+ vessels compared to other yacht charter destinations this summer.

George Vernicos, secretary general of the Greek Tourism Confederation (SETE) and representative of tourism to the European Economic and Social Committee. Photo source: Olympic Yacht Show

The US is a key market supporting luxury boating this year, covering losses created by the Russia-Ukraine war.

 Of the 170,000 vessels available for charter, 6,600 are for professional  use and this number, he said, is expected to increase by 200-300 every year.

According to Vernicos, travelers felt safer renting a recreational boat or yacht during the pandemic, which led to an increase in charter activity.

Indicatively, more than 10,000 sail boats were chartered in the Eastern Mediterranean generating approximately 2 billion euros in turnover.

Photo ©Greek Travel Pages

The luxury boat market worldwide has gone from 1,534 superyachts over 30 meters in 1980 to 11,713 in 2021. Meanwhile, superyacht sales hit record highs in 2021 and the same expected in 2022.

Lastly, Vernicos said there was a shortage in skilled labor in the yachting industry, adding that there was also fundamental shift in the market and in consumer interests for outdoor recreation. While at the same time a new and more diverse category of boat buyers has emerged.