Gordon Fernandes, panelist “Managing & Operating yachts in the Asia-Pacific”
General Manager at Asia Pacific Superyachts Phuket, Gordon Fernandes, will attend and be a panelist on the Superyacht Panel, “Managing & Operating yachts in the Asia-Pacific’ at the Asia-Pacific Superyacht SUMMIT June 5th & 6th 2024. The event will be held at the Renaissance Harbour View Hotel in Hong Kong.
“It’s fantastic to be attending this week’s superyacht summit. The fact that Superyacht Times is holding the Summit in Hong Kong, shows how the industry has grown and also shows that there is a lot more potential for growth. We look forward to meeting industry leaders from around the world and sharing ideas so we can encourage more yachts to the Asia Pacific region”, comments Fernandes.
The Superyacht Summit will be an important meeting place for key decision-makers from the different Asian regions, as well as global superyacht industry professionals. The programme will focus on the development of Asia as a superyacht cruising destination and how to get more Asian clients interested in the construction, purchase, and charter of yachts. There will be a total of around 25 speakers, including yacht owners, captains, managers, builders, designers, and agents.
Day One will start with a presentation from Ralph Dazert, Head of Intelligence at Superyacht Times, on the state of the Asia-Pacific superyacht market. K.C Lam from InvestHK will then welcome participants to Hong Kong, and give an overview of investment opportunities available in this financial hub.
A panel discussion on “Managing and Operating yachts in the Asia-Pacific’ will look at the superyacht sector from an operational perspective, and challenges faced by yachts cruising in the region. There will be an overview of the maintenance and refit of yachts already available in Asia, and a review of the infrastructure currently in situ, while also discussing topics such as insurance and training. This panel discussion will followed by a Q&A session with Omi Tanchanok Vajarodaya, owner of the 31.45m Astondoa motor yacht For Your Eyes Only.
The Asia-Pacific region has a huge amount to offer charter clients, with the islands of Thailand and Indonesia, the waters of the Maldives, Seychelles and beyond, yet it is not one of the most heavily frequented regions for superyachts.
The next panel discussion covers the potential of the region and will discuss ways to encourage more owners to bring their yachts to Asia. After a networking lunch a panel discussion with local experts looking at ‘selling superyachts in Asia’, the current state of the market, how it has developed over the past decade, along with the potential of the region and its individual countries, the owners and what needs to change – among other topics. Day One of the Summit concludes with a Gala Networking Dinner at the Royal Hong Kong Yacht Club.
Day two of the Summit launches with ‘The Business of Marinas’ and how to build a successful marina in Asia, from leveraging regional market trends to embracing sustainable practices, while dissecting the blueprint for a prosperous marina venture.
With shipyards fixing their sights on the Asian market, is it necessary for superyacht designs to be tailored specifically to buyers from this region? The topic will cover the design requests made by Asian or Asia-based clients, the rising popularity of certain models in the region, the cruising trends of clients within the region, and the differences between the various countries within the region from a design perspective.
Speakers will then talk about ‘Creating a Charter Market in Indonesia with Phinisi yachts’ and explore the potential of Indonesia’s charter market and how to navigate regulatory challenges, tap into local demand, and create unforgettable experiences for travellers amidst Indonesia’s stunning archipelago.
The following session looks at ‘The future of yacht construction in Asia’, with shipyards such as Cheoy Lee, Silver Yachts, Ocean Alexander and Horizon Group already producing superyachts in the region. The session will look at the wider state of the Asian yacht building market, and the panel will evaluate the challenges currently faced by builders within the region, looking into topics such as the labour market, supply chain and local demand.
Nick Davies, Managing Director at Cookson Adventures, participates in a Q & A session on ‘Travelling off the beaten track’ and this is followed by the keynote interview with Rose Damen, Managing Director of Damen Yachting, looking at the value of the Asia-Pacific region, the yard’s strategy over the coming years, and the changing landscape of the superyacht construction sector. Closing comments by Superyacht Times will bring the Summit to its conclusion.
To view topic/speaker listing click to https://www.superyachttimes.com/yacht-news/asia-pacific-superyacht-summit-topics-and-speakers