The Value of Visiting Yachts
By KAREN EARNSHAW
A study on the economic impact of the yachting industry in Fiji has revealed the tourism side-industry contributes about US$30 million to the country’s economy annually.
The study stated that, significantly, while yachting tourism doesn’t boast large numbers of arrivals, cruising is one of the “highest yielding tourism segments with annual average spending for each visitor per trip of $3,094 compared with the national average of $971.”
The study was developed in partnership with Fiji’s Port Denarau Marina, Vuda Marina and the Australian-funded Market Development Facility and produced by the consultancy firm AMSTEC. The study’s results were discussed at a national yachting stakeholders meeting held in November in Nadi.
Representatives of Majuro’s Mieco Beach Yacht Club have long believed that the cruising industry is one of the biggest tourism earners for the Marshall Islands, but many people overlook cruisers as being beneficial to the economy because they don’t stay in hotels like “traditional” tourists.
The Fiji study stated that in 2018, 714 yachts visited Fiji. This included a relatively large number of superyachts, with each visit by a superyacht generating $78,490, adding $3.7 million to the 2018 total of $30 million. It explained that “while yachting tourism does not boast the large numbers of arrivals, with only 4,330 crew and guests arriving on 714 yachts in 2018, it is one of the highest yielding tourism segments.”
According to the study, “the economic contribution by the sector is even more pronounced when one considers that yachts sail to many remote islands within the Fiji group that tourists do not travel to and ‘yachties’ tend to spend more on locally sourced food, supplies and repairs.” This is mirrored in the Marshall Islands, with a majority of yachts spending a significant amount of their time in RMI in the outer islands.
Cynthia Rasch, general manager of the Port Denarau marina — one of the largest marinas in Fiji — said the “yachting industry plays a vital role to the growth of Fiji’s economy and this study will quantify their economic, employment, social and environmental contributions to the local communities.”
Adam Wade, general manager of Vuda Marina echoed Rasch’s comments: “Many people are unaware of the diverse nature of the yachting industry and how there are numerous businesses that have been created organically to meet the needs of this vibrant and emerging community of adventurous travelers.”
