A Master Scuba Diver, sailor and superyacht charterer, Yousuf Al Hashimi of Phoenix Yacht Management explains in his Issue 86 Column why Middle East clients are increasingly looking beyond the world’s traditional charter hubs to Asia and beyond.

Over the past decade, charter activity among Gulf clients has evolved from a seasonal indulgence into a more deliberate and globally mobile form of travel. Privacy, comfort and impeccable service remain the foundation of every decision, but expectations have matured.

As Managing Director and Partner of Phoenix Yacht Management, I have observed that today’s clients are no longer content with predictable routes or standard itineraries. They seek experiences that combine precision, authenticity and a sense of purpose, whether in the Mediterranean, the Indian Ocean or the farthest reaches of the Indo-Pacific.

The financial profile of this market remains significant. The number of active charterers from the Middle East may be limited, but their contribution in value terms is substantial. Many charter the largest yachts available – typically in the 60m-plus range – and they expect absolute flexibility, privacy and bespoke arrangements as part of the service.

Crew quality remains critical. Multilingual capability, cultural awareness and the ability to anticipate preferences are valued as much as technical skill. Many clients request wellness professionals, dive instructors or chefs able to interpret regional cuisines.

Environmental responsibility is another area gaining traction. Sustainability is viewed less as ideology and more as evidence of professionalism. Clients are increasingly aware of hybrid propulsion, efficient energy systems and responsible waste management. A yacht that operates cleanly and intelligently reflects the same values that guests apply to other areas of their lifestyle.

For clients based in the Middle East, the Gulf itself remains primarily a base for ownership rather than a cruising destination. Oman is the consistent exception, with its dramatic, secluded coastline now attracting those seeking something different without travelling far. Government initiatives across the region are gradually expanding marina infrastructure and support services, signalling steady progress for the future.

DISRUPTING THE RHYTHM

For a long time, charter patterns among Middle Eastern clients followed a predictable rhythm: Mediterranean itineraries during the summer and the Caribbean over the winter season. That framework still applies, but within it, new dynamics are emerging.

The Caribbean remains the preferred winter destination, largely because of its established infrastructure, reliable weather and concentration of leading international yachts. However, we now see a gradual diversification of winter itineraries as clients increasingly look east. The Indo-Pacific – particularly Thailand, the Seychelles and Indonesia – now attracts growing interest, with a steady rise in requests for expedition-style programmes and extended voyages.

In recent seasons, there has been notable demand for Indonesia’s phinisi yachts, the iconic handcrafted wooden vessels that blend traditional Indonesian design with modern superyacht comfort. Guests experience diving in Raja Ampat, swimming with manta rays and whale sharks in Komodo, and beach landings on volcanic islands.

In the Indian Ocean, fishing itineraries in the Seychelles and Madagascar remain established favourites, combining sportfishing with the privacy and comfort of a superyacht. In the Seychelles, marlin, sailfish and giant trevally dominate seasonal pursuits, while Madagascar offers a more untamed, frontier experience, with deep-sea and reef fishing interwoven with snorkelling and island exploration.

Further east, long-range voyages across French Polynesia and Papua New Guinea are gaining attention, often built around wellness, photography and quiet immersion in pristine environments.

This year, we organised a long-range superyacht expedition to Alaska. It was a journey of ice fjords, wildlife and extraordinary biodiversity, delivered with the same comfort and refinement expected aboard a modern yacht.

Interest in Antarctica, which entered the charter scene a few years ago when several explorer yachts spent a season there, has yet to attract significant interest among Middle Eastern clients. Nevertheless, we aim to introduce it to the regional market, as these expeditions represent the next frontier in experiential luxury.

PERSONAL EXPERIENCE

I am myself an example of a Middle Eastern charterer embracing this category. Each year, I explore some of the most remote corners of the planet to experience life from a different perspective.

Among the most memorable journeys was a week-long charter in the Philippines aboard a Japanese fishing vessel converted into a dive ship. We explored the Tubbataha Reefs, about 90nm from any land, diving with hammerhead sharks and drifting along untouched coral walls.

Sperm whales in Dominica

I also spent five days aboard a converted oil platform near Sipadan, an extraordinary base for some of the world’s most exceptional diving. I’ve swum with sperm whales in Dominica and blue whales off Sri Lanka, and visited Socotra, an extraordinary Yemeni island in the Indian Ocean. True luxury today lies not in comfort alone but in the ability to reach what few have seen – safely and with purpose.

The evolution of Middle Eastern charter clients marks a decisive step in the global maturity of the yachting sector. As they look beyond established cruising grounds, they set a new operational benchmark for luxury yachting – driven not by scale but technical performance and competence, cultural awareness and the ability to deliver flawless service in any environment.

For professionals within the sector, this progression demands the same qualities valued by the clients themselves – discretion, discipline and the confidence to perform to the highest standard wherever the voyage may lead.

phoenix-yachts.com

YOUSUF AL HASHIMI

Al Hashimi has been Managing Director and Partner of Phoenix Yacht Management since 2023. He studied Political Science at Concordia University in Montreal, Canada, before returning to the UAE. As well as working in the Vice President’s Office for Political Affairs, he established his first business in 2008, since when his entrepreneurial journey has involved his passions for sports, events and the maritime world. As the co-founder and owner of Ahdaaf Sports, he has made significant contributions to UAE’s sports and events industry. A Master Scuba Diver and a participant in international regattas like Cowes Week, Al Hashimi draws on his passion for yachting and his father’s shipyard background in his management role at Phoenix Yacht Management.

info@phoenix-yachts.com