Asia Yachting CEO Highlights Full Yacht Ownership Value in SCMP Feature

The South China Morning Post (SCMP) has recently highlighted the significant potential and existing challenges of Hong Kong’s burgeoning “yacht economy” in a featured article, quoting Asia Yachting’s Founder and CEO, Mr. Olivier Besson.

The in-depth report detailed the Hong Kong government’s ambitious plan to establish the city as the “yacht club of Asia,” citing its natural assets long coastline and numerous islands. Chief Executive John Lee Ka-Chiu’s latest policy address included measures to ease requirements for visiting yachts and facilitate cross-border yachting.

The Full Value of Yacht Ownership

In the article, Mr. Besson provided crucial insight into the industry’s economic drives, moving beyond just initial sales. He emphasized that “the real value of the ‘yacht economy’ lies not only in new yacht sales but across the entire ownership cycle – berthing, operations, aftersales and management.”

This perspective aligns with the SCMP’s report, which estimates that a successful yacht industry could inject billions of dollars annually into Hong Kong’s economy. This value is distributed across services like maintenance and chartering, as well as new vessel sales.

Challenges on the Course to Success

The SCMP article also outlined the hurdles that must be overcome to fully unlock this potential. Key issues identified by industry leaders include:

• Infrastructure Gaps: A lack of public access points, basic amenities at proposed anchorage zones, and user-friendly piers compared to regional rivals like Sanya and Phuket.
• Workforce Shortage: A severe deficit of skilled marine engineers and technicians, compounded by an ageing workforce.
• Bureaucratic Hurdles: Complex cross-border procedures that can take months for a single application, stifling spontaneous travel within the Greater Bay Area.
• Fragmented Governance: Industry players called for a single government body to manage the marine recreation ecosystem effectively.

The report noted that these challenges directly impact the superyacht segment, with Olivier Besson pointing out that the deficit in high-quality Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) services affects Hong Kong’s superyacht ambitions.

Your Trusted Partner in the Yacht Economy

At Asia Yachting, we are at the heart of this evolving landscape. The insights shared by our CEO underscore our comprehensive understanding of the market. We don’t just sell yachts; we guide our clients through every step of the ownership journey.

True to Mr. Besson’s quoted philosophy, Asia Yachting provides expert services across the entire yacht ownership cycle. From selecting your perfect new Prestige or Fountaine Pajot yacht, to secure berthing, arranging professional management, and ensuring top-tier aftersales support, our team is here to ensure a seamless and enjoyable experience.

As Hong Kong sets its course to become a leading yachting hub, you can rely on Asia Yachting’s expertise to navigate your personal yachting journey.