Monaco Yacht Show 2021: “less is more”, here’s the report

The Monaco Yacht Show 2021 was a “real success”, according to the organizers of the event. An event that stood out from other Mediterranean Boat Shows because it did not chase massive attendance numbers, but on the contrary sought to improve the experience of the visitors themselves. “A reduced turnout was foreseen and planned by the organizers”, who aimed to reduce attendance by focusing on specific profiles with the aim of facilitating meetings between exhibitors and target customers. The total declared by the organizers is 19,000 visitors, but in this case, it really must be said: “less is more”, because the aim was really to gather the best of the clientele.

101 Superyachts

At MYS 2021 there were 440 exhibitors and a total of 101 superyachts moored, half of which were all new boats launched during 2020 and 2021. More numbers: “€3.6 billion” was the total value of the exhibition at the start of the Monaco show. And there were 14 superyachts over 70 metres long.

Gaëlle Tallarida, General Manager of MYS, said: “We have worked alongside industry stakeholders to organize a show that met the highest expectations, particularly those of the clientele.” She also added that the nautical market is going through an absolutely positive period with an “increase in sales over the last 18 months”, referring to a public that is turning more towards recreational boating to “escape from the dark context that the pandemic has imposed on us together with the frustration of having their freedoms restricted”. 2021, explains Gaëlle Tallarida, was a “win-win” for anyone working in the yachting sector.

Monaco Yacht Show first day by invitation only

At the “day one” of the MYS 2021 access was by invitation only. Owners, brokers, charters, shipyard managers and those interested in purchasing were the beneficiaries, who had the opportunity to experience “exclusive” access and stay in the Dockside Area and inside the Quai Antoine Ier pavilion, where there were also displays of nautical accessories and luxury brands.

According to brokers and shipyards, “the visiting agenda was full from the start of the event and potential clients came on board with serious intentions to buy“. The MYS 2021 format works and “brings enormous added value to the industry”. This was confirmed by Theo Hooning, Secretary General of SYBAss (an association of shipyards producing yachts over 40 metres) who commented positively on the results of the Monaco boat show, explaining that “the result was a more relaxed atmosphere, with no crowds at the quayside, and the experience for clients was much more in line with what the superyacht world itself is all about”.

Not surprisingly, the day before the show began, 60 owners, charters and prospective buyers had gathered for the fifth Monaco Yacht Summit. The aim was to meet designers, experts, brokers and builders, to get information on how to give the right impetus to the project of buying a superyacht.

At MYS 2021 there was no shortage of sailing yachts, which are a viable alternative for the more environmentally conscious owners. And they still account for “15 per cent” of the world’s yachting industry. A total of 12 fantastic sailing yachts were moored at Port Hercule, attracting a more sporty clientele, but who find in sailing the same level of comfort, technology, quality and requirements as in motor yachts.