In the post-pandemic travel renaissance, yacht charter has emerged as one of the most desirable ways for travelers to explore the world in privacy, comfort, and style. Offering flexibility, exclusivity, and the ability to discover multiple destinations in one seamless journey, chartering a yacht has quickly gained favor among both seasoned seafarers and first-time voyagers. In this interview, Edita Vasiljevic, Head of Charter at YATCO, shares her expert insight on evolving charter trends, destination hotspots, and why crew can make or break the experience—all from the YATCO Sky Lounge at the Palm Beach International Boat Show 2025.
Watch Inside Yacht Charter Trends with YATCO’s Head of Charter | YATCO video on YouTube.
“Hi guys, my name is Edita. I’m Head of Charter at YATCO Group. We are here at the YATCO Sky Lounge in Palm Beach, and let’s talk about everything charter.”
What are the Top Charter Trends in 2025?
“Well, in the last couple of years since COVID, we have really started to see that more and more people decide to charter vessels—either here on a day charter near Florida or in the Med, especially. So, the weekly charters have gone up. And since the boat season has really started, the top destinations are the South of France, of course. Then we have Greece, Croatia, and all of that area there.”
Why do People Choose to Charter?
“It’s completely different to charter a vessel than to stay in an apartment or a hotel. With a yacht charter, you can really see different areas much quicker, especially if you’re on a 7-day or 14-day charter. And it’s completely different when you’re actually seeing it—every single day, you have a new location. With a hotel or an apartment, you cannot really see that. So, I think that’s the most important reason people decide to go on a charter.”
How Do You Choose the Right Charter Yacht?
“Well, it’s really important to know who you’re going to go with—that’s the most important part. The next part is where you want to go and what you want to experience. I feel that when the experience is right, when the right charter vessel is decided, you can really go for it and have fun.”
How Important is the Crew to a Successful Yacht Charter?
“Actually, the crew is the most important part of the charter, because if the guests don’t feel welcome and if the guest doesn’t feel that the charter crew is experienced, it can make or break a charter. So, I think the crew is a crucial part of each charter experience.”
What Sets YATCO Apart?
“Well, as you can see, we are a tech and a connect company. So, besides the technology that we offer to brokers and central agents, we are the only platform that actually connects people with all of the yachting professionals here—including crew and captains.”
