Jun 22 2019 0 Added on June 22, 2019 yachtseal@hotmail.com Cruising , Yachts By KAREN EARNSHAW Post navigation Next PostNext Multiple Votes Allowed
 100vw, 640px” data-recalc-dims=”1″><figcaption>A few of the many incoming cruising yachts to Majuro in early 2019. Photo: Karen Earnshaw</figcaption></figure>
<p>A study on the<br />
economic impact of the yachting industry in Fiji has revealed the tourism<br />
side-industry contributes about US$30 million to the country’s economy<br />
annually. </p>
<p>The study stated that,<br />
significantly, while yachting tourism doesn’t boast large numbers of arrivals,<br />
cruising is one of the “highest yielding tourism segments with annual average<br />
spending for each visitor per trip of $3,094 compared with the national average<br />
of $971.”</p>
<p>The study was<br />
developed in partnership with Fiji’s Port Denarau Marina, Vuda Marina and the<br />
Australian-funded Market Development Facility and produced by the consultancy<br />
firm AMSTEC. The study’s results were discussed at a national yachting<br />
stakeholders meeting held in November in Nadi.</p>
<p>Representatives of<br />
Majuro’s Mieco Beach Yacht Club have long believed that the cruising industry<br />
is one of the biggest tourism earners for the Marshall Islands, but many people<br />
overlook cruisers as being beneficial to the economy because they don’t stay in<br />
hotels like “traditional” tourists. </p>
<p>The Fiji study stated<br />
that in 2018, 714 yachts visited Fiji. This included a relatively large number<br />
of superyachts, with each visit by a superyacht generating $78,490, adding $3.7<br />
million to the 2018 total of $30 million. It explained that “while yachting<br />
tourism does not boast the large numbers of arrivals, with only 4,330 crew and<br />
guests arriving on 714 yachts in 2018, it is one of the highest yielding<br />
tourism segments.”</p>
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 100vw, 489px” data-recalc-dims=”1″><figcaption>The yacht Seal donated a significant part of a marlin to the school in Airok, Maloelap in November, 2018. Photo: Karen Earnshaw</figcaption></figure>
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 100vw, 327px” data-recalc-dims=”1″><figcaption>Windward II receives donated goods from the KIO Club. Photo: Karen Earnshaw</figcaption></figure>
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<p>According to the<br />
study, “the economic contribution by the sector is even more pronounced when<br />
one considers that yachts sail to many remote islands within the Fiji group<br />
that tourists do not travel to and ‘yachties’ tend to spend more on locally<br />
sourced food, supplies and repairs.” This is mirrored in the Marshall Islands,<br />
with a majority of yachts spending a significant amount of their time in RMI in<br />
the outer islands.</p>
<p>Cynthia Rasch, general<br />
manager of the Port Denarau marina — one of the largest marinas in Fiji — said<br />
the “yachting industry plays a vital role to the growth of Fiji’s economy and<br />
this study will quantify their economic, employment, social and environmental<br />
contributions to the local communities.”</p>
<p>Adam Wade, general manager<br />
of Vuda Marina echoed Rasch’s comments: “Many people are unaware of the diverse<br />
nature of the yachting industry and how there are numerous businesses that have<br />
been created organically to meet the needs of this vibrant and emerging<br />
community of adventurous travelers.”</p>
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