Türkiye Hosts Superyacht Summit 2024: Showcasing Global Yachting Leadership
Türkiye took center stage in the global yachting industry with the Superyacht Summit Türkiye 2024, held across four prestigious venues in Istanbul, including the iconic Çırağan Palace Kempinski. Bringing together more than 30 speakers and over 450 participants, the two-day event highlighted Türkiye’s growing prominence in the superyacht sector through insightful discussions, expert panels, and exclusive networking events.Türkiye's Strategic Role in Superyachting
The summit opened with a comprehensive discussion on Türkiye’s strategic role in the global superyacht industry. Experts delved into key topics such as sales, marinas, free zones, tourism, and infrastructure.Begüm Doğulu of Begüm Yachting reflected on the sector's growth, stating, “The superyacht sector had problems at the beginning, but we upgraded ourselves, we learned.” She highlighted Türkiye’s potential to become a leading hub, while Deniz Akaltan of Yalıkavak Marina emphasized sustainability, pointing out investments in eco-friendly infrastructure for electric and hybrid yachts. “Environmental sustainability is one of the key challenges,” Akaltan noted, urging marinas to prioritize waste management and energy efficiency.Kerem Başer of KRM Refit & Rebuild focused on Türkiye’s progress in yacht refitting, stressing the need for larger facilities and increased investments over the next five years to stay competitive globally.Trends in Explorer Yachts
The panel "Long-Range Exploration: Today’s Explorer Yacht Owners" explored evolving trends in the explorer yacht segment. Representatives from Bering Yachts, Damen Yachting, Numarine, and HydroTec discussed the rise of younger yacht owners seeking adventure without compromising luxury. Hybrid and electric yachts were highlighted for their quieter operations and sustainable designs, promising new levels of comfort and eco-conscious exploration.The Power of Branding
In a session on branding, Michael Frohoff of Kruger Media and Dan Lenard of Nuvolari Lenard discussed the delicate balance between innovative design and brand recognition. “We often focus too much on the complexity of the product and neglect effective branding,” Lenard remarked, underscoring the importance of building strong identities in the luxury market.Insights from Yacht Owners
Dr. Tobias Reichmuth captivated attendees with his experience of an 18-month Arctic expedition aboard a 45-meter explorer yacht. Designed for extreme conditions, the vessel featured an icebreaker hull and advanced sustainability features, embodying the future of expedition yachting.Challenges in Yacht Crew Management
A lively panel on crew dynamics brought together experts including Clive Willenbrock of Ocean’s Seven and Levent Baktır of Xone Superyacht Group. Discussions covered challenges in attracting, training, and retaining qualified crew while balancing theoretical best practices with real-world operations.Business Strategies in Yacht Building
The session “Building on Speculation vs. On Order” offered diverse perspectives on shipbuilding strategies. Ömer Koray of Alia Yachts highlighted a shift toward bespoke builds, while Hüseyin Doğar of Yacht Factory advocated for speculative construction to meet immediate market demands. Piraye Şahinkaya Orhun of Ares Yachts emphasized the importance of strengthening local supply chains to ensure stability in the industry.Türkiye’s Charter Market
Discussions on Türkiye’s charter market explored rising demand for luxury charters and strategies to attract international clients. Lisa Airasca of Fraser Yachts and Noyan Mutlugil of TYBA highlighted the importance of robust regulations and enhanced service quality to capitalize on the sector's potential.Innovations in Sustainability
Nicola Pomi of Volvo Penta shared cutting-edge advancements in sustainable yachting, focusing on reducing carbon footprints and aligning with global consumer expectations.Luxury Assets and Blockchain
The second day expanded into broader luxury trends at the 2Plan Terminal, featuring seminars on luxury asset acquisitions and blockchain technology. Experts such as Özge Doğan of Karman Beyond Multi-Family Office and Mariam Khizanishvili of CityPay.io explored investment strategies and the potential of blockchain to revolutionize secure transactions in the yachting industry.A Grand Finale on the Bosphorus
The summit concluded with an exclusive reception aboard the classic yacht Halas 71. Guests enjoyed a guided tour of Istanbul’s waterways, reflecting on the summit’s discussions and the country’s role as an emerging leader in the global superyacht industry.Türkiye's Rising Star in Global Yachting
Superyacht Summit Türkiye 2024 underscored Türkiye’s readiness to meet the challenges of a rapidly evolving yachting industry. From innovative technologies to a focus on sustainability and bespoke services, the summit showcased the country’s potential to become a global superyachting hub. 
