Floating mansions build up Coast cred
THE Gold Coast City Marina’s bold move to host the country’s first Superyacht Rendezvous earlier this year is paying off with some major international partners now aboard.
The event in May is being repeated in April next year, coinciding with the weekend after the Commonwealth Games to capitalise on superyacht visitation associated with that event.
International superyacht industry heavyweights Burgess, New York-based IGY Marinas and Italy-based Benetti have all signed on as partners for 2018.
Burgess is arguably the number one superyacht company in the world, considered a market leader in sales, construction, charter and yacht managements.
Burgess CEO Jonathan Beckett, who divides his time between the firm’s bases in Monaco, New York and London, has also confirmed his attendance.
IGY Marinas is the world’s biggest international marina company with 18 marinas across nine countries.
Benetti is among the oldest and most esteemed luxury motor yacht builders in the world with at least one vessel confirmed to be among those on display at the Rendezvous.
The first Rendezvous attracted 15 floating palaces worth $150 million while more than a dozen are already booked for next year’s with more than 20 expected.
Rendezvous organiser Trenton Gay, the Gold Coast City Marina CEO, said the event’s new international partners showed the confidence in the Australian superyacht industry’s potential.
“When you talk superyachts across the globe, these are arguably three of the biggest market players and to have them backing the Australian Superyacht Rendezvous is a stunning coup for the event and industry as a whole,” he said.
Mr Gay said he would look forward to giving Burgess, IGY Marinas and Benetti representative first-hand insight into the country’s potential for superyacht visits.
“These big names are passionate about industry collaboration,” he said.
The Rendezvous is designed to highlight the industry’s potential, lobby Federal Government for more relaxed laws around foreignflagged vessels chartering and as a networking opportunity for business, government, media and the superyacht sector.
Superyacht Australia lobby group research shows a superyacht spend during the course of a year is about $2.5 million, equal to the economic impact of an 1800-person cruise ship.