In times like these, even the desire to travel among the UHNWI elite is put to the test. Official restrictions, quarantine requirements and the omnipresent risk of infection with the coronavirus not only put the brakes on "normal" tourism; the charter business in the mega yacht sector was also rather sluggish in the summer season and in the usual hotspots. One of the few areas that opened up relatively easily to the yachting scene from the beginning of October was the Maldives in the Indian Ocean. According to reports from the island nation south-west of Sri Lanka, the entry and exit process only takes 30 to 45 minutes if all the required documents are available. A negative PCR test of all those involved is also a prerequisite; the crew must have already completed this 72 hours before departure in their last port - regardless of how long the transfer to the Maldives takes. The World Travel & Tourism Council also awarded the Maldives the "Safe Travels" award, while at the same time the government reduced the fees for incoming yachts. The charter yachts "Ragnar" (issue 1/21, 473,000 euros/week) and "Bold" (issue 3/20, 985,000 euros/week) also anchored in the dream destination.
This has certainly also contributed to the fact that the yachting season around the 1196 islands has been different so far and will probably continue to be so. Although the Maldives are regularly visited by large yachts in the European winter, it is not at this level of intensity and not immediately after the Mediterranean season. Mohamed Hameed, Director of Asia Pacific Superyachts, says: "We will probably experience one of the best seasons ever here." High-calibre guests in recent weeks have included the 119-metre-long "A", the 85-metre-long "Sunrays", the 70-metre-long "Talisman C", "Ragnar" (68 metres), "La Datcha" (77 metres) and "Plvs Vltra" (74 metres). According to Hameed, anchoring is mainly done off the island of Bandos, which is relatively close to the airport and makes it easy for guests to check in and out, while also allowing them to stock up on provisions. Resorts on this or other islands may be entered after consultation with the resort management; uninhabited islands, of which there are around 1000 in the Maldives, can also be explored without a permit. An alternative to Bandos is the relatively new Crossroads Marina. The harbour with berths for yachts up to 60 metres in length is part of a gigantic real estate development by Singha Estate from Thailand - the holiday and leisure project with hotels and shopping miles comprises nine artificial islands on the Emboodhoo lagoon, which are connected by regular boat services - just 15 minutes by speedboat from the international airport and the capital Malé. As soon as the situation returns to normal, some owners are sure to return to the Maldives after having acquired a taste for it during this unusual season.
