Goolets' Yacht Charter Broker Jon Arko Jerman on the World of Yacht Charters
In a candid conversation, Jon Arko Jerman, a distinguished yacht charter broker at Goolets, sheds light on the allure of DS Yachts, crafted in Croatian shipyards. These superyachts offer luxury at an accessible price, catering to larger groups and corporate events. Jon emphasizes their unique features and affordability, making them ideal for a wide range of clientele. With sustainability initiatives driving industry innovation, DS Yachts pave the way for a dynamic evolution in luxury yachting, promising unforgettable experiences on the seas.
Join us as we delve into the world of unique yacht charters through Jon Arko Jerman's expert lens.
Watch the whole interview here:
What is your favourite aspect of your job?
My favorite parts as a yacht broker are communication with the clients and attending yacht shows. From the first inquiry from our clients to speaking with them, understanding their needs, and getting to know their »big thing« as we call it. In recent times, clients like to have birthday cruises, and family getaways onboard, and also most people like to also work remotely while on a yacht.
From the first inquiry up to meeting them personally at the checkpoint, this is what I like the most about my job. Learning about different cultures, people's habits, and all kinds of new things every day makes my job really interesting. The second part is the yacht shows. We attended shows in Turkey, France, Italy, and many other destinations.
Which is the best destination for this (yacht charters) type of vacation and why?
Currently, the number one destination is Croatia. It's becoming more and more popular, and it might become the capital of the charter one day. You have a calm sea, beautiful weather, idyllic scenery, amazing cuisine. There are also very good value-for-money yachts and gulets, and you can find the perfect fit for everyone, even for bigger groups.
That is what makes Croatia a really interesting destination – it has a lot of islands, different itinerary options, and also very good airport connections. Also, Turkey is becoming very popular. You have countless hidden bays, gulets were actually made there. In the winter season, definitely The Carribean.
Do you have preferred charter routes, and what makes them special?
I usually recommend 3 itineraries. Most of the charters in Croatia start in Split or Dubrovnik. One route would be from Dubrovnik to Split, visiting the most popular Croatian islands – Brač, Hvar, Vis, Korčula, and Mljet. What is good about this itinerary is that you can find something from everybody. On Hvar you have a lot of party destinations, on Vis, you have natural spots, like the Blue Cave, Mljet is a National Park, which is also very nice.
The second route is starting in Split and ending in Split, also visiting these islands. The third would be in the northern part of Croatia, visiting the Kornati Islands, and all the islands in the northern part. This is the route I would recommend to families, and to those looking to spend more time on the yacht or a gulet, having more privacy. It's a bit more different than going the Split-Dubrovnik route.
Which are your favourite yachts and why?
There are two types, ones are for the small groups, so-called gulets. They are really nice, they offer an amazing experience, lots of water toys, and a highly experienced crew. They offer a completely different experience from the yacht charters, also very popular in Croatia. Yachts like Freedom, Ohana, Bella, and other bigger yachts like Riva can hold up to 36 guests and they are very good for bigger groups, and company events, which are getting very popular.
How do DS Yachts in Croatia differ from other superyachts in the world?
In recent years, we developed a brand so-called DS Yachts, which is a name for Dalmatico Superyachts. It's a fleet of yachts built in the Croatian shipyards and they offer a bit different experience than in the other countries. They offer more capacity due to the regulations in Croatia. There's a big price difference between a DS Yachts and a super yacht with 6 cabins.
Other yachts can have a higher capacity but their price can go up to 1 million euros per week, but prices for DS Yachts start at 60,000 euros per week and go up to 150,000 euros per week. If we calculate the cost per person, you can charter a DS Yacht from 2,000 – 3,000 euros per person, which makes superyachting very affordable.
Tell us about the clientele who typically books DS Yachts.
DS Yachts are practically for everyone. There is no selective type of people who just want to go on a yacht and have fun. A lot of people suffer from seasickness and they traveled with us in the past years, and they didn't even notice they were on a superyacht. We also have family reunions, weddings onboard, corporate meetings, bachelor parties...
What are the key factors when choosing a yacht charter for a vacation?
It's all about the guests' preferences. It depends on what they are looking for. First, we ask them if they prefer a motor yacht a sailing yacht, or a gulet. They all offer a different experience and are in different budget ranges. If somebody is looking for a smaller boat with 4 cabins suited for a family cruise, they don't need a superyacht. They can have an extraordinary experience on a smaller gulet. If a larger group wants to travel together, they have bigger gulets and bigger yachts.
We also consider the budget, how much is the client prepared for such a vacation, and another important factor is the destination. Most of the clients don't know where they want to go, so we discuss with them about the destinations. We compare each destination, like Croatia and Turkey. They both offer really good value-for-money yachts and gulets compared to other countries like Greece and Italy. That's why we focus on those countries. We want to present good value for money to our clients.
How do you see the yachting industry evolving in the next decade?
The yachting industry is developing fast. We see daily how people are trying to find new ways. A lot has been said about sustainability in recent years. We saw completely electric brand-new yachts being presented at the Monaco Yacht Show. We are not talking about yachts, but superyachts being fully electric. Owners and developers are looking for new fuel types from sustainable materials, and so on.
I think much will be done in the sustainability area. Also, yachting offers a completely new option for remote working. People can now work freely on their yachts, and also enjoy their time with the family. There are a lot of new areas developing. As we can see, brands like DS Yachts have developed in recent years offering superyacht charters to a wider audience and not just to a few percent.
Are you ready to turn your maritime dreams into reality after this captivating interview? With Jon Arko Jerman's insights lighting the way, your next adventure awaits on the decks of a luxurious vessel. Whether you're envisioning a corporate retreat, a family reunion, or a romantic escapade, our expert team is ready to tailor an unforgettable journey just for you. All you need to do is send us an inquiry, and we will take care of the rest.
