CROYA Charter Show - Split's window to the world of luxury nautical tourism

• 19.09.2024.
• News, User experience

Although Croatia is home to one of the world's largest charter fleets, the country offers relatively fewer crewed luxury yachts. These yachts and their captains will be showed in Split from October 4-6 on the West Coast at the CROYA Charter Show, a specialized B2B international exhibition of crewed yachts.

Croatia - a paradise for sea lovers and sailors.  

This is true, and with its 1,244 islands and crystal-clear waters, the Croatian coastline has long been recognized as one of the most attractive destinations for nautical tourism.  
However, when it comes to luxury tourism, few people know about the crewed luxury yachts sailing in our waters. While Croatia has a well-known fleet of 4,000 bareboat charter vessels, information about luxury yachts is reserved for a specific clientele.  
 
According to the Ministry of Maritime Affairs, Transport, and Infrastructure, around 200 yachts over 24 meters in length sail in Croatia.  
   

CROYA Charter Show - an opportunity to position Croatia   

The country's luxury yacht offer has not been sufficiently promoted to international guests, but it's time to correct this "oversight" and position Croatia as a must-visit destination for those seeking a premium Adriatic experience. The CROYA Charter Show in Split from October 4-6 provides the perfect opportunity to showcase the luxury yacht market in Croatia.

Organized by the Croatian Yachting Association (CRO.Y.A.), the event brings together leading charter companies, yacht owners, captains, crew, and maritime agencies specializing in luxury nautical tourism, offering excellent opportunities for networking and promotion.  
   
The show is expected to contribute to positioning Croatia as a top luxury yacht destination. Maja Ban, a member of the organizing committee, notes:

"Croatia is already known for having one of the world's largest bareboat charter fleets, but more work is needed in developing and promoting the luxury charter fleet. We believe our show will help educate charter brokers about the yachts they can rely on and will encourage foreign yacht owners to choose Croatia as their base."

The event also aims to motivate domestic shipowners to invest in upgrading their vessels and developing luxury yachts.  

  

CROYA - an association of two sectors of Croatia's nautical industry  

The CROYA Charter Show is designed as a B2B event where charter agents from around the world will have the opportunity to view some of the most luxurious yachts for rent in Croatia, all in one place. The show will exclusively feature crewed yachts, including motor yachts, sailboats, motor sailers, and gulets ranging from 20 to 55 meters in length, as well as luxury catamarans over 15 meters.  
   
For domestic shipowners, this event presents an opportunity to show their charter businesses and strengthen relationships with international clients. As the first such show organized by the Croatian Yachting Association (CRO.Y.A.), it stands apart from other similar events in Croatia and across the Mediterranean.  
   
Maja Ban highlights the unique aspects of this show and why agents will want to attend: "In addition to being the first event organized by our association, the CROYA Yachting Association, it is also the first B2B charter show in Croatia featuring yachts with full-time crews.  
   
Until now, no such yacht show has been organized in our market. For the first time, this project brings together two sectors of Croatia's nautical industry—charter companies and maritime agencies specializing in luxury nautical tourism—to create an event that aims to become one of the key yacht charter shows globally.  
   
The CROYA Charter Show is not open to the general public but is exclusively for companies involved in luxury yacht charters. The fact that Croatia has not had such a show, unlike other Mediterranean destinations like MYBA, Greece's MEDYS, or Turkey's TYBA Charter Show, makes it especially appealing to charter brokers and other industry participants.  
   
The charter industry has long awaited this event, as shown by the high level of interest from charter brokers and other participants, which is already evident in this first edition.  
   
The aim of the CROYA Charter Show is to promote domestic and foreign yachts and companies that meet the expected standards in the luxury yacht charter market, thereby positioning Croatia as a prime destination.”  

  

CROYA Charter Show – drawing the attention of the global nautical elite to our coast  

The introduction of the CROYA Charter Show and its establishment in Split is crucial for positioning our coastline as an essential destination for elite guests. Luxury tourism has a significant economic impact—with luxury yacht guests estimated to spend up to ten times more than the average tourist. Could this be of importance to the local economy?  
   
According to Maja Ban, CRO.Y.A. has future plans for developing the show and attracting even more international agents. "There are many plans, both for the association and the show. The CROYA Charter Show marks the first time that charter agencies renting yachts and maritime agencies providing legal support, logistics, and services for crewed yachts in Croatia have united to showcase the strength of our offerings and to spotlight our expertise and coastline to the global nautical community.  
   
We believe this will encourage colleagues who are not yet members of the association to join us, helping to further raise quality and expand the event’s offerings.  
   
This is a niche market, and if the approximately 200 charter brokers and visitors attending this year are satisfied, it will encourage them to return next year, serving as a strong incentive for those who missed the inaugural event.  
   
Ultimately, the year-round effort, promotion of the show, expansion of the yacht offerings, development of event programs, and stronger support from institutions and sponsors will help us secure a stronger position on the map of key charter shows in the Mediterranean.”  

  

What does the first CROYA Charter Show in Split offer?   

In addition to the organizers highlighting the arrival of around 200 foreign charter agents and an impressive fleet of approximately 50 luxury yachts on display, the event will also feature educational seminars on the best sailing routes and an entertainment program with chefs and crew members.  
   
When asked about the specific program and its significance for professionals in the nautical sector, Mrs Ban revealed: "The first day of seminars is dedicated to the theme ‘Croatia, a Desirable Nautical Destination.’  
   
Here, charter brokers and visitors will, through a presentation by an experienced charter captain, get to know our coastline, interesting routes, and anchorages from north to south.  
   
Charter brokers booking yachts will have the opportunity to discover some lesser-known parts of the Adriatic, which is crucial for anyone selling a particular destination.  
   
The next day, two topics are on the agenda. The first is ‘Conducting Charter Activities with Crewed Yachts.’ The goal of this seminar is to familiarize charter brokers and other professionals with the rules and requirements that charter yachts must meet to operate without issues in Croatia.  
   
Through this activity, we want to encourage foreign companies to consider investing in Croatia in the development of our luxury yacht market and all related services.  
   
Following that will be a seminar titled ‘Croatia, a Year-Round Nautical Destination,’ providing visitors with insights into our marinas, refit centers, and other important and interesting information about year-round yacht stays in Croatia.  
   
Croatia is not only a beautiful summer nautical destination but also has all the prerequisites to provide year-round luxury yacht services at a very high level and competitive prices.”  
   
The CRO.Y.A. association aims to contribute its experience and knowledge to the development and improvement of the most prestigious part of Croatia's nautical tourism.  
   
In addition to previous initiatives—improving charter quality, lobbying for favourable regulations, and fostering sector growth—starting this October, another goal will be achieved: branding Croatia as an elite nautical destination.  
   

Registration for the CRO.Y.A. Charter Show is open to all companies in the luxury yacht sector—from brokers and agents to marinas, refit centres, and providers of exclusive services.  

You can apply to participate in this prestigious show via this link: https://croya.hr/registration/.  
   
Whether you're attending as a visitor or exhibitor, don't forget: the registration deadline is September 27. Secure your spot on time! 

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