The Singapore Yachting Festival is clearly moving beyond a traditional boat show. What wasn’t working in the previous model, and what needed to change?

The Singapore Yachting Festival has evolved alongside the market and we are constantly monitoring global trends and adapting them to our regional context and demographic.

At its core, SYF remains a highly commercial platform. Our exhibitors are here to meet qualified buyers, showcase their yachts, and transact. That remains the foundation of the show, and something we continue to prioritise through targeted audience development and strong regional outreach.

What’s evolved is how we support that core objective.

Today, the role of a yacht show goes beyond simply displaying boats; it’s about building a sustainable ecosystem for the industry. That means not only serving current buyers, but also actively developing the next generation of customers for our exhibitors.

In Southeast Asia, and even in Singapore, there is still a large audience that is not yet familiar with the yachting lifestyle, or who perceive it as inaccessible. A big part of our focus is to help bridge that gap. There are many entry points into boating; whether through charters, fractional ownership, or shared experiences. These activities can gradually build affinity and confidence before transitioning into full ownership.

At the same time, we recognise that yachting sits within a broader luxury lifestyle. That’s why SYF has expanded to include complementary experiences; from wellness suites and curated wine, whisky and cheese masterclasses, to showcases of supercars and other lifestyle brands. These elements create a more immersive environment, while also attracting new audiences who may not have previously considered yachting.

As such, SYF is designed to be both aspirational and commercially effective. Meaning, we deliver immediate opportunities for our exhibitors, while also supporting long-term growth for the industry.

You’ve positioned the show as a platform where deals are done and relationships are built. How are you structuring the event to deliver real commercial outcomes rather than just foot traffic?

It starts with partnerships. We are very deliberate about identifying and working with the right strategic partners. By aligning with the right partners across private banking, luxury lifestyle, travel, and marine ecosystems, we are effectively curating the type of visitors who come to the show. This ensures that exhibitors are not just meeting more people, but meeting the right people – those with genuine intent and capacity.

In this way, partnerships become the mechanism that drives quality attendance, which in turn translates into more meaningful conversations and stronger commercial outcomes on the ground.

We’re already seeing the results – repeat exhibitors, new brands entering the market, and strong feedback around the quality of conversations taking place on-site. That’s ultimately the metric that matters.

Global brands are increasingly using Singapore as a regional launch platform. Is Asia now a primary sales market, or is it still an emerging market with long-term upside?

It’s both. Asia is still an emerging market in terms of scale, but it’s no longer peripheral. For many brands, it’s becoming a primary growth market.

What’s driving this is a combination of rising wealth, changing lifestyle aspirations, and increasing exposure to yachting as part of a broader luxury ecosystem. Singapore, in particular, plays a strategic role—it’s stable, well-connected, and trusted as a business and lifestyle hub.

So while the market may not yet have the same maturity as Europe or the US, the trajectory is clear, and brands are positioning themselves to capture that growth.

ONE°15 Marina has been upgraded to accommodate larger vessels. How critical is marina infrastructure in unlocking the next phase of superyacht growth in Southeast Asia?

It is fundamental. Without the right infrastructure, growth will always be constrained.

Superyacht owners and operators require certainty – berthing availability, technical support, and a seamless operating environment. Investments in marina capabilities, including accommodating larger vessels, are essential to building that confidence.

What we’ve seen at ONE°15 Marina Sentosa Cove has reinforced this very clearly. The response has been stronger and faster than we initially anticipated. For example, the payback on our first phase of reconfiguration was achieved in roughly half the time projected.

We’ve also seen new superyachts arriving, either through fresh acquisitions or relocations from other markets, at a pace that exceeded expectations. This points to clear latent demand for larger berthing facilities that the market was previously unable to fully accommodate.

With this insight, we are actively reviewing how we can further augment our offering to better align with evolving market needs.

More broadly, while Singapore is well-positioned to serve as a superyacht hub, infrastructure development across the region will be key. If Southeast Asia is to realise its full potential as a cruising destination, marina capabilities need to evolve in parallel across multiple markets.

Compared to the Mediterranean and Caribbean, Asia still lacks density in both marinas and cruising infrastructure. What realistically needs to happen for the region to compete at that level?

It’s a long-term play that requires alignment between public and private stakeholders. Infrastructure investment is one piece, but equally important are regulatory frameworks, ease of cross-border movement, and the development of service ecosystems.

Progress is being made, but to truly compete, we need a more coordinated regional approach that brings together governments, marina operators, and industry players to create a more seamless boating experience.

Are you seeing a shift in the buyer profile – younger owners, first-time entrants, family offices – and how is that influencing how the show is curated?

Yes, very much so. We’re seeing younger buyers, more first-time owners, and increasing interest from family offices who are looking at yachting not just as an asset, but as part of a lifestyle portfolio.

This shift is influencing how we design the show. There’s a greater emphasis on education, accessibility, and experience – helping new entrants understand the ecosystem, from ownership to chartering and beyond.

It also means creating an environment that feels less transactional and more aligned with how this new generation engages with luxury—through experiences, community, and storytelling.

The introduction of wellness zones, masterclasses and experiential programming points to a broader lifestyle push. Is the industry finally recognising that selling yachts today is as much about experience as it is about product?

Absolutely. The product is still important, but it’s no longer the sole driver of decision-making.

Today’s buyers are thinking more holistically about how a yacht fits into their lifestyle—whether that’s wellness, travel, family time, or simply how they choose to spend their leisure. Ownership is no longer just about the asset; it’s about the experiences that come with it.

We’ve seen this shift firsthand. At a recent promotional event in Bangkok, for example, we curated an experience that brought together leading yacht brands alongside luxury real estate, wellness consultants, and even a Master of Wine. The objective was to present yachting within a broader lifestyle context—and the response was very encouraging.

That same thinking carries through to SYF. By integrating wellness zones, educational masterclasses, and curated lifestyle experiences, we’re not just showcasing yachts—we’re helping visitors better understand and connect with what ownership can look like. That ultimately makes for a much more compelling proposition in today’s market.

With roadshows and regional engagement building ahead of the show, is the model shifting from a four-day event to a year-round ecosystem?

Yes, that’s very much the direction we’re moving in.

The Festival is the anchor moment, but the engagement now extends well beyond the four days. Through regional events, partnerships, and targeted media outreach, we’re building a continuous dialogue with buyers, partners, relevant brands and the industry.

This allows us to maintain momentum, deepen relationships, and ultimately deliver more value to exhibitors and partners throughout the year, not just during the show itself.

From your vantage point across the region, what are the biggest constraints right now – regulation, infrastructure, charter frameworks, or simply awareness?

Infrastructure remains the single biggest bottleneck.

Across the region, we are seeing growing recognition from governments—whether in Thailand, Hong Kong SAR, or the Philippines—that maritime tourism can be a meaningful driver of economic growth. The success of established yachting hubs in the US, Europe, and Australia has clearly demonstrated the broader economic impact that this industry can bring, and many Asian markets are now looking to replicate that in their own way.

What’s not lacking is demand. The region is home to some of the world’s most pristine cruising and diving grounds, and this is complemented by a rapidly growing base of high-net-worth individuals and an emerging middle class with increasing appetite for lifestyle experiences.

The challenge is that infrastructure has not kept pace. There remains a shortage of high-quality marina developments, suitable berthing for larger vessels, and the supporting ecosystem, from technical services to charter frameworks, that are required to sustain growth.

Regulation also plays an important role in shaping how quickly the industry can develop. Encouragingly, we are starting to see more progressive moves in certain markets, for example, Hong Kong’s recent steps to ease restrictions* and enable more coastal development. These are positive signals.

That said, development needs to be approached thoughtfully. As the region grows its yachting footprint, it is equally important to ensure that this is done in a sustainable and responsible way, preserving the very marine environments that make Southeast Asia such an attractive destination in the first place.

Looking ahead, what does success for Singapore and the Festival actually look like over the next three to five years?

Success, for us, starts with remaining a highly effective commercial platform. The Singapore Yachting Festival must continue to be the premier yachting exhibition in the region. One where leading global brands come not just for visibility, but to transact and build meaningful pipelines in Southeast Asia.

At the same time, we see SYF evolving into a more complete lifestyle platform.

Yachting does not exist in isolation, and we will continue to expand our ancillary and complementary offerings – bringing in curated experiences across wellness, gastronomy, and luxury – to create a more immersive and engaging environment for our visitors.

A key priority is also to bring more people onto the water. We believe that building affinity for the yachting lifestyle starts with access and experience. Initiatives like ONE15 Marina’s signature “On Sail” program are just the beginning! We plan to expand these charter-led experiences during the Festival period and, over time, scale them beyond Singapore into regional and even international destinations.

Ultimately, we see SYF as the launchpad for this broader lifestyle movement in Singapore and the region, supporting both immediate commercial outcomes for the industry, while also cultivating the next generation of yacht owners and enthusiasts.

If, over the next three to five years, we are able to achieve both stronger business outcomes for our exhibitors and a steadily expanding audience engaging with the yachting lifestyle then we would consider that real success.

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