In 2019, the global yacht charter market was worth $6.5 billion. In 2021 that figure grew to $16.9 billion, with a projected market worth of $26.5 billion by 2027. 

What this means for the tourism industry of countries like Greece and Albania is that tourists are looking for more opportunities to be able to charter a yacht when they are visiting new destinations – and Greece has recently become the top destination for charter yachts. One of the leading yacht charter marketplace is online provider www.borrowaboat.com who covers a huge rage of variety in popular destinations like Greece. 

What is So Special About Greece? 

Greece has been a luxury destination for holidaymakers since it started attracting the elite back in the 1960s, and now it is home to high-end shopping experiences, wellness retreats, and 5-star hotels. 

With more than 2000 islands ready to explore, charting a boat is one of the best ways to take advantage of everything this destination has to offer, while avoiding the crowded beaches and well-known towns and cities. 

In 2021, the Greek yachting industry topped the charter market with a 23% market share, and it shows no signs of slowing down – but there are other, less well-known destinations for those who want to explore from a yacht. 

Albania as a Hidden Gem 
Located near Greece, Montenegro, Italy, and Croatia, Albania has only just started becoming more well-known as a tourist destination. 

For many years, Albania was considered to be a no-go area for tourists, with descriptions of the Mafia and crime in the area deterring people from visiting. However, with long stretches of untouched coastline and beautiful beaches, mountains for hiking and skiing, and UNESCO-listed heritage sites, Albania should be on the radar of those looking for luxury holidays without the tourists (or the price tag). 

The stretch of coast on the Mediterranean Sea between Sarande and Dhermi in southern Albania has been referred to as the Albanian Riviera, and it is not hard to see why. Azure blue seas lap white beaches all along this stretch. 

The Old Towns are full of historical architecture, depicting the occupation of the French, the Turkish, and even the Ottoman Empire from the 14th Century. Tourists can find bazaars, castles, ruins, and cathedrals from the medieval times right up to the present day. 

For the adventurous, hidden lakes and waterfalls make the perfect backdrop for swimming, fishing, and kayaking, while the Accursed Mountains are made for discovering hiking trails – and skiing, if you are brave enough. The ski culture in Albania is not like in other places in Europe. There are no lifts, there is no apres-ski, and you won’t find huge resorts, but you will find cross-country skiing opportunities full of beautiful scenery and untouched wilderness. 

For those in the know, Albania offers more than Greece, or other European destinations, without the crowds or the costs. 

Yacht Chartering in Albania 

So, how does the development of the tourism industry affect the yacht charting industry in Albania? 

Well, for those already in a charter, stopping off in one of the Albanian ports allows access to cheaper fuel and less taxes. While this has been happening for a while, now the country is opening up more there are also opportunities for spending time on beautiful beaches, staying in luxury hotels, visiting untouched countryside, and becoming immersed in traditional culture. 

Before tourism became the norm in Albania, the coastline was thought of as too dangerous – unexploded mines and ordinances from WWII were marked out, making it a risky decision to sail too close to the beautiful beaches. 

However, the proximity of Corfu and the other islands of Greece (less than a couple of hours sailing away) alongside the growth of tourism has meant that yacht charters are often heading to Albania from their departure ports, and the number of boats making this trip is growing as more and more people want to discover the Albanian Riviera for themselves. 

The development of the yachting industry in Albania is definitely backed up by the figures, too. 

In 2017, Sarande Port registered the arrival of 842 yachts. In 2018 there were 1007. By 2019, Sarande Port had 1575 yachts arrive – a growth of about 80% in just two years. 

However, the current status of the Albanian marinas leaves a little something to be desired for the charting industries. Unlike Greece, and other European countries sharing a coastline, Albania does not have any marinas designed for mooring the superyachts or even the smaller pleasure boats. Instead, yachts need to stop at one of the four main ports. 

However, the growing demand for charters and the unstoppable growth of tourism in Albania has meant that there are plenty of projects in the pipeline to develop infrastructure that will support the water-borne tourists – and the biggest and most exciting is probably Porto Albania 

Porto Albania 
Currently in development, the Porto Albania marina is set to be a real destination when it is completed. 

The project consists of a harbour designed for superyachts with multiple berths, and the huge area has other facets that will encourage those that are sailing to stop and stay a while. 

Including in the plans are a residential area including canal villas, apartments, and a 5-star hotel, with onsite secure parking, a retail area and plenty of dining options. 

Construction on Porto Albania started in 2016, and although there is no firm completion date, this development demonstrates the firm belief that Albania can follow the success of their neighbouring Greece when it comes to the yacht charter industry.