2018 MYBA Charter Show in Review

The 2018 MYBA Charter Show has come to a close following four lively days in OneOcean Port Vell, Barcelona. For the second consecutive year, the city centre marina welcomed leading brokers from the likes of Burgess Yachts, Camper & Nicholson, Y.Co, Thompson Westwood & White Yachts, Fraser Yachts, to step onboard an exceptional fleet of superyachts. There were 53 superyachts on display amounting to 2521 linear metres overall, beating the 2438m total of 2017.

  

Copyright Paul McDermott

Records have been broken on all accounts this year! 592 brokers and charter agents attended, compared to 495 in 2017. The opportunity to meet the crew and enjoy first hand their hospitality, food, drinks and entertainment is indispensable for the marketing of charter holidays, which are of course all about the seven star service and personal touch. This growth represents a more than 20% increase in visiting brokers and highlights the importance of the Show to gain first hand knowledge of the crew, the culture onboard and the little details that make a charter extra special.

It was the second consecutive year that OneOcean Port Vell played host to the Show and General Manager Ignacio Erroz had this to say, “Hosting the MYBA Charter show at OneOcean Port Vell – as the event celebrates its third operating decade - is an honour. OneOcean Port Vell excels as a maritime destination due to its unrivalled facilities and infrastructure, and the city of Barcelona is an undeniably well-connected European hub, so Barcelona lends itself well to hosting major events such as these.”

Copyright Paul McDermott

To further cement Barcelona's ascendant position as a superyacht hub, Fraser Yachts made the announcement that they would be opening their second office in Spain within OneOcean Port Vell. This is recognition of the interest clients have in exploring Spanish waters beyond the Balearic Islands, including the beauty of the Costa Brava and the year-round balmy climes further south.

Notable visitors to the show were the directors of Spanish harbours: the President of Puertos del Estado, Mr. José Llorca, Mr. Sixte Cambra, President of the Port of Barcelona and Mr. Jose Alberto Carbonell, Director General of the Port of Barcelona. Also walking the dock was Rafael Nadal, famed tennis star, Mallorcan native and yacht owner who is a regular visitor to yacht shows.

Along the docks, where OneOcean has 150 berths for yachts up to 190m in length, 96 exhibitor stands displayed the finest products and services in shore support including headline sponsors BWA Yachting.

Gaye Joyeau-Bourgeois, President of the MYBA Board. Copyright Paul McDermott

The Show would not have been possible without the 540 crew members who strove before and during the Show to present their yachts in the best possible light.

The enthusiasm and professionalism of crew were brought to the fore in some exceptional experiences produced for the MYBA Superyacht Chefs' Competition sponsored by Yachts International and World Wine Services. The bar was set extremely high across the board.

Valuing the importance of making a sparkling first impression, the new “Meet & Greet” competition was well received. Beautiful and inventive tablescapes, inspired dishes, many with a nod to Spain's gastronomy, and creative presentations made the judging process a difficult one for the judging panel who would only accept the very best.

A second new competition, this time for deck crew, asked crew to use their creativity to devise ways of entertaining guests in challenging situations. The inventiveness on display made the judging difficult once again.

Copyright Paul McDermott

Everyone in attendance let their hair down for the fabulous Quay Party night, a new event that sparked a wonderful atmosphere on the docks and showed the superyachts to their best advantage, illuminated against the night.

The MYBA Charter Show organisers have expressed their pleasure at the show's success and thank all participants, attendees and sponsors.

The winners of the MYBA Superyacht Chefs' Competition have now been announced; read more here.