YOTSPACE opens up superyacht berths to discerning travellers

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EXCLUSIVE: The superyacht market has now become more easily accessible to travellers following the launch of an Australian business called YOTSPACE superyacht voyages. YOTSPACE is a brand new high-end travel product being distributed via luxury travel advisors in Australia. Ticking the boxes for discerning travellers in this “new normal” COVID-19 era, superyachts are all about exclusivity, intimacy and privacy. Considered to be out of reach to many due to the cost to charter a vessel, this ultra-luxury style of travel and exploration can now be booked instead by the cabin on an all-inclusive basis. YOTSPACE’s superyacht voyages are custom-built itineraries curated by experienced captains and targeted at particular travel styles. Destinations available include the Kimberley, the Whitsundays, Lizard Island, Hawkesbury River and Sydney Harbour. Durations vary based on the location but generally range from 6-nights up to 10.

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Capacity is limited to between just eight and 10 adult guests. All cabins feature private ensuites and luxury bedding. Voyages operate from superyacht marinas and the crew numbers are between 4 and 7, depending on the size of the superyacht. Some departures include a floatplane arrival or departure as the vessel may already be out to sea at the beginning or end of a voyage such as those in the Kimberley region. YOTSPACE is the brainchild of Christina James and Nicholas Mason who have racked up a combined 50-plus years in the tourism and hospitality sectors. James is Managing Director of Cairns-based The Tour Specialists/Cairns Holiday Specialists. The duo had been based in the Maldives, where Mason had been General Manager of a number of high-end resorts before returning to Cairns due to the pandemic.James told LATTE she has been chartering superyachts for over 15 years, but recently pivoted the business to focus on this high-end niche, offering guests something never before available in Australia – the ability to book an ultra-exclusive holiday on a superyacht, on a cabin by cabin basis. “When we came back from the Maldives we were sitting in our quarantine hotel room in Brisbane for two weeks and reanalysed our business.

“Our industry has been through all sorts of disasters over the past 40+ years. But after each disaster there is a burst of renewed energy, and we are going to capitalise on that excitement with a totally unique, ultra-luxury product that discerning travellers will really associate with.”

“We thought about the way luxury travellers are going to now carefully rethink how they travel. “After a pandemic or disaster people seem to get this fear factor that they’re going to live a very short life, so they decide to take that ultra-luxury holiday that they always dreamed of, and there’s a huge market for guests who dreamed of a superyacht holiday but never thought it was possible, until YOTSPACE,” she said.

“Domestic borders are opening and closing, but we’re quite confident now is the time to launch,” James added. “And now considering Prime Minister Scott Morrison’s view on outbound borders remaining closed until 2022, we believe YOTSPACE will fill a void in the luxury travel market”. YOTSPACE’s pricing is all-inclusive and determined on the type of yacht, destination and length of charter. Included in the cost is 5-star gourmet meals (pictured), snacks, drinks and beverages, as well as guided excursions with the crew. Scenic flights, for instance, to Whitehaven Beach or Heart Reef when in the Whitsundays can be coordinated by the captain and paid while onboard. In the Kimberley, guests will explore the scenery via a Mallard floatplane or private aircraft as they are transitted to the superyacht. James and Mason have been busy presenting their concept to wholesalers over recent weeks, gearing up “to make a big splash,” she said.Next week YOTSPACE will also float its concept direct to consumers at the Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show on the Gold Coast. Beyond domestic charters, James said discussions are already advanced for superyacht voyages in New Zealand, Fiji and the South Pacific, taking advantage of travel bubbles as they arise. Travel advisors can learn more about YOTSPACE via an e-brochure, accessed here. To entice travel advisors to book, YOTSPACE is currently offering a bonus $500 travel voucher when booking a cabin on a Whitsundays voyage. For additional information, see yotspace.com Lead image: Phoenix One Superyacht

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