Multi-hyphenate Lucie Gardiner is a passionate journalist who loves to tell the remarkable stories of the superyacht industry through her writing, video and audio work and as killed creative strategist and publicist who raises brand equity and connect sthe dots for her extraordinary clients.
Reporter Lucie Gardiner visits Turkey and the 4th edition of the TYBA yacht charter show.
It seemed that I might have booked an enviable assignment when I mentioned in conversation to a yacht captain friend that I was going to Turkey to attend the Turkish Yacht Brokers Association’s (TYBA) annual gathering in Göcek. He waxed lyrical about Turkey’s southwestern regions’ outstanding natural beauty and incredible sailing conditions where the Aegean meets the Med. So far, so intriguing! And then upon mentioning the D-Marin Marina and Hotel resort (which played host to this year’s 4th edition of the TYBA Show) to a colleague in luxury travel PR, she squealed with delight! My interest in Turkey’s Turquoise Coast was officially piqued!
Göcek is fast becoming one of Turkey and the East Mediterranean’s hottest sailing hubs. With high-calibre restaurants, boutique shops, upscale hotels, excellent modern marina infrastructure and close proximity to Dalaman airport (only 25kms), it has easy access to the stunning bays, unspoilt beaches, islands and pine forests that make Göcek both a relaxed, yet sophisticated embarkation point for guests. The blue flag-holding D-Marin Göcek Marina is in a sheltered cove and has a capacity for 380 yachts of up to 70m to berth, as well as dry dock capacity making it an obvious choice for yachts visiting the area.
The TYBA show was a full 6-day program packed with informative presentations and seminars, inspections, yacht hops, glittering social events, gala dinners and coveted competitions for Chefs and Crew. Local and international brokers, yachting industry leaders, and media flocked to D-Marin Göcek Marina to meet, network and view the 60+ vessels of up to 64m LOA attending.
A mix of traditional Gulets, Motor-Sailors, Motor Yachts and Sailing Yachts were on show, the largest of which was SY ‘Running on Waves’ – a converted three-masted tall ship that can host 42 guests in 18 cabins for adventure sailing expeditions. Other notable attendees included Admirals 55m M/Y ‘Quinta Essentia’ with stand-out interior design by Michela Reverbi (last seen at the Monaco GP with a rare Ferrari F40 on her foredeck), CRN’s 2019 refitted 42m Lady I, and new-gen ultra-luxury Motor-sailor gulets like 40m Halcon Del Mar and 29m Bodrum-built Mermaid, offering a more superyacht-like style and experience.
The seminar program didn’t disappoint. It was varied and informative and held on a dedicated seminar vessel. This meant you didn’t need to leave the quay to find out more about diverse topics including Turkish charter regulations with Xone Superyacht management, the Legendary Bodrum Cup which is celebrating its 100th anniversary this year, Data protection for guests in Turkish waters with Aline Braggotti of Alba Legal, and Fritz Gotschim’s destination seminar through the ancient Aphrodite Route. Plus the area’s fascinating history and a fun view of the Anatolia region’s deep viticulture roots and award-winning grape varietals with TYBA Show Committee President H.Serhan Cengiz and Dina Street.
Carrefour SA set the challenge for the coveted Chef’s Competition. 14 yachts entered their take on a Turkish meal with a modern twist. Well-deserved 1st place went to Chef Burcu Düzey from 31m M/Y Zeemar. Crew hospitality was recognised again with the Anne Casebourne prize for Most Welcoming Crew, and the winning crew from 24m gulet Beyaz Lale certainly deserved the accolade.
The prize-giving ceremony and gala dinner that ended the festivities was a highlight. Held at ONNO, a stunning venue only accessible by boat (which this reporter found out to her detriment, but that’s another story) and nestled in a pristine bay, surrounded by pine forested hills, is an easy 25-minute cruise from D-Marin. Picturesque, privileged but not pretentious, the invitees toasted the successes of another great edition of the TYBA Show long into the night. With the growing interest in Turkey as a yachting charter destination globally, and an ever-strengthening new build market in the region, it’s easy to see why the TYBA contingent had lots to celebrate.
We look forward to joining them again next year and seeing the upwards trajectory of this remarkable region.
