Responsible Travel - Yachting
Making a Difference – Yachting Holidays
The very nature of our yachting holidays involves our guests visiting different out-of-the-way places each day, places which enjoy the extra revenue generated by our visits that they might not otherwise expect to benefit from. Shopping for groceries and eating out at the local tavernas in each port of call is an integral part of the social aspect of our holidays.
We recognise that we operate our yachting holidays in pristine marine environments and we understand the importance of conserving them for future generations. All our yachts are supplied with a handbook which contains tips for our guests on how to help conserve the unspoiled locations they love to sail in. All our old oil is siphoned into cans to avoid any possibility of spillage. Where possible, all materials are reused in some way, for example, old yacht ropes become mooring lines for dinghies and old sailcloth is made into laundry bags or car covers, even old uniforms are used for cleaning engines.
On our Croatian yachting programme we have been successful in recruiting two local staff as engineer and mate on our flotilla and we are actively seeking to recruit more local people for our yachting programme.
Approximately three quarters of our yacht spares are sourced locally. Not only does this benefit the local economy, it cuts down the transport miles and all the associated impacts that go with that aspect of importation. In addition to sourcing standard spares items, we are also working with local suppliers to supply some of our more specific needs such as customised flags and other branded items.
We register all our yachts to fly under the flag of the countries in which we operate. While this can be an expensive process, (albeit benefiting the local economy) it ensures our compliance with local legislation, which in turn helps cement good relations with local authorities, essential for the smooth running and risk management of our operations.