THAT’S NOT A BOAT PARTY, THIS IS A BOAT PARTY
THE eyes of the lucrative global superyacht industry have turned towards the Gold Coast putting southeast Queensland on the radar of the big-spending sector.
Gold Coast City Marina CEO and superyacht industry cheerleader Trenton Gay hosted the city’s third annual Australian Superyacht Rendezvous during the weekend.
It culminated in a VIP function aboard 18 floating palaces including several visiting foreign-flagged vessels on the Gold Coast.
Mr Gay said the Rendezvous attracted a wave of international superyacht agents with attendees flying in from around the world.
They attended from Thailand, Tahiti, Vanuatu, New Zealand and Indonesia.
Mr Gay, who has long championed the sector and aimed to increase superyacht traffic in southeast Queensland, said the event was key to drawing attention to what the Coast could offer superyacht captains, agents and charter bosses.
“Those agents have seen the facilities we have and know what we are capable of.
“They’ve seen the standard of service and will go away and be great advocates for our region so that is great to get international support.”
The Superyacht Rendezvous has been a key part of a multi-pronged push to develop the industry locally.
Other initiatives have included on-water Customs at Southport Yacht Club to welcome foreign-flagged vessels without them having to come to the Gold Coast via Brisbane.
The Labor State Government jumped on board last year with some funding support and a strategic plan to help further develop the luxury sector.
Mr Gay said the State Government’s Member for Cairns Michael Healy was among VIPs to attend on the Friday and political support for the sector was key to helping it grow.
A Superyacht Australia report reveals that with the proper government policy changes, the industry in southeast Queensland will create almost 8000 jobs and $1.1 billion in revenue by 2021