Fiji, Tahiti, New Zealand and Australia have been promoted in the region to be one cohesive destination for super yachts in the South Pacific.
The official launch of the South Pacific Superyachting was held last Friday in Tahiti.
In a press release from Port Denarau Marina CEO and general manager Nigel Skeggs, he said the South Pacific superyachting program included the Port Denarau Marina, New Zealand Marine, Tourism Tahiti, and Superyacht Australia.
“The South Pacific Superyachting encourages more yachts to move within the destination. The initiative was launched at the annual superyacht Australia Tahiti rendezvous event held in Tahiti,” he said.
Mr Skeggs said with most yachts cruising the Pacific exploring the region’s multiple island nations, South Pacific Superyachting program provided “one touchpoint” for the superyacht’s management to plan their schedule in the Pacific.
“Working as a cohesive unit to move yachts through the South Pacific is a step that will produce real benefit for superyacht marine and tourism industries within the region,” Mr Skeggs said.
“With well-established routes and clear communication on how to best make the most of the region, yachts will circulate more, stay longer and — crucially — entertain more guests during their time in the region. And that means tangible benefit for the regions’ economies and a rapidly developing, adventurous new cruising ground for the global fleet to discover.”
He added that the government of the four countries now had user-friendly rules that allowed yachts to stay longer in each country, and that passage from one country to another was possible.
Peter Busfield the CEO of NZ Marine, along with Tourism NZ initiated the project and added that the South Pacific also offered something “of tangible value to charter yachts”.
“Joining forces to market the region as one cruising destination was the logical step forward for the South Pacific nations,” said Mr Busfield.
“The region has everything a yacht requires from cruising grounds — on-land entertainment and world-class boatbuilding and refit facilities.”
[via The Fiji Times Online]