A record breaking 65 superyachts visited Fiji last year and the prediction is that figure will get topped again this year.
Considered a hub for the country’s visiting super yachts Port Denarau Marina welcomed a total of 554 yachts last year, showing strong growth from 2016 when Cyclone Winston ripped through the islands causing much damage.
Denarau Marina general manager Cynthia Rasch said, “Port Denarau Marina in Fiji is expecting more than 700 vessels visiting its shores this year and the 2017 yachting season had a total of 11 weeks of charter sold to visiting superyachts in Fiji”.
David Jamieson of Asia Pacific Superyachts Fiji adds, the number could possibly go up this year to 750 yachts and superyachts.”
Once the clearance post in Lau becomes operational the number of yachts visiting the island could top 1000 annually.
The Government’s reduction in yacht tax from 12.5 per cent to 10 per cent will also help in the increase of visiting yachts.
The Super Yacht Charter Tax is no longer called a ‘super yacht’ tax.
Superyachts are now charged an environment and climate adaptation levy of 10 per cent, levied on the stated gross charter fee as disclosed on the charter contract”.
David Jamieson says the yacht tourism market brings many benefits to Fiji, over and above the direct income generated from the industry.
Fijians are now sought after for crew work. Working in yachts provides a great career path and high income for Fiji people”.
Asia Pacific Superyachts Fiji has a staff of over forty people including head office and the repair and maintenance facility in Vuda.
The company hires inexperienced school leavers to train to do the cleaning and polishing work on the yachts and many of these people, both male and female, are offered work on the yachts full time, opening up huge opportunities for travel and professional advancement.