Sophia Tutino Yachting has revealed that the number of private yacht charter enquiries has increased dramatically following the outbreak of coronavirus across Asia, Europe and America.
The coronavirus is causing panic in many parts of the world. Stock markets are tumbling at a rate not seen since the last financial crisis, and the number of confirmed cases outside China is increasing at an alarming rate.
The coronavirus outbreak has worried many due to the lack of information about how it started, coupled with the news that no cure is expected for a year. People across all social spectrums are exploring ways of how best to protect themselves, and private travel is one obvious way to do this.
At the time of publishing this article, more than a dozen countries had recorded their first cases of the virus over the past 48 hours.
Yesterday, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the director-general of the World Health Organization, said, “This virus has pandemic potential,” and “We are actually in a very delicate situation in which the outbreak can go in any direction based on how we handle it.”
The virus, otherwise known as COVID-19, originated in the Chinese city of Wuhan and has since spread across the globe. More than 2,000 people have died in mainland China, with an overall total of 83,000 infections confirmed so far, according to government figures.
With the risks posed by the virus – particularly to the elderly and those with underlying health conditions – there has been a shift in holiday habits in the first two months of 2020, with many people showing an interest in the safety and seclusion of private yacht charters ahead of traditional resort holidays.
Yacht charter expert Sophia Tutino Yachting has reported a sharp rise in the number of enquiries for superyacht charters this year.
It’s not only the yacht charter industry seeing increased interest; a similar pattern seems to be emerging in the aviation industry: MyJet Asia revealed to the BBC that it had seen an ’80-90 %’ increase in enquiries in the past month. The privacy that these modes of transport provide can lessen exposure to COVID-19, which in turn can decrease one’s chances of infection. There are currently no reports of coronavirus aboard any of the world’s superyachts.
Managing director Sophia Tutino said, “Coronavirus can be caught by anyone, regardless of age and background, so the rich are taking it very seriously as they go about their daily lives. There has been a noticeable movement towards the idea of chartering a superyacht, both because it provides an unforgettable experience and also because it drastically decreases the likelihood of catching the virus.
“Yacht chartering provides the perfect opportunity for a secluded getaway, and with many people looking to avoid public spaces, there isn’t a more relaxing and tranquil way to traverse the world than aboard a yacht or superyacht.”
Safety first
As an additional health and safety measure, Sophia Tutino Yachting ensures up-to-date World Health Organisation (WHO), Professional Yachting Association (PYA) and International Maritime Health Association (IMHA) coronavirus guidelines are adhered to at all times aboard all charters. Crews are screened prior to the start of each charter, and stringent top-to-bottom cleaning takes place on a regular basis to reduce the risk of infection.
Tutino noted, “Yacht crews can be screened before hopping aboard any chartered yacht through Sophia Tutino Yachting, which offers our guests complete peace of mind right from the start of their holiday. The chances of catching coronavirus aboard a superyacht chartered through Sophia Tutino Yachting is much less than when staying at a busy hotel, no matter how many stars they have achieved, which is why so many people are choosing to enquire in recent weeks.”
In addition to this, Sophia Tutino Yachting will continuously take advice from government officials and avoid ‘danger routes’ where contamination is considered higher to ensure that all guests have both a pleasurable and safe holiday.
More information on Sophia Tutino Yachting can be found on their official website www.sophiaty.com.
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