To say that Greece is currently enjoying a yachting renaissance would be an understatement. It is currently home to the world’s third highest concentration of owners with yachts above 40 metres and, according to leading brokerage Fraser, was the number one destination for yacht owners and charter clients in 2023.
Having witnessed an increased demand from owners and charterers for the region following the pandemic, Fraser decided to open its first dedicated full-service office for clients in Athens in 2022. With its acquisition last year of the renowned Atalanta Golden Yachts (AGY), the company moved to larger premises this year with all teams now working under the brand Fraser Greece.
According to Vassilis Fotilas, award-winning sales broker and now managing director of Fraser Greece, the attraction of the region for both owners and charterers remains at an all-time high. “We have been proud and privileged to serve and support a vast number of Greek clients within our worldwide portfolio over many years with all of our yacht services. We realised we could do so much more with a dedicated and knowledgeable local team on the ground here. Today, especially with the inclusion of the incredible AGY charter team, our clients can now benefit from not only the most skilled and respected specialists in the region but equally enjoy direct access to the highest-valued fleet of Greek charter yachts in the world today – all managed by Fraser.”
BOAT delves into some of Fraser’s high-value charter yachts on the market and how the brokerage firm can support owners on their charter journey.
An expert in the Greek market
While Fraser's Greece office is a recent addition to the global company, the brokerage firm itself has been a cornerstone of the industry since its inception in 1947. With a reputation built on trust and quality, Fraser's expansion into the Greek market in 2022 marked a significant milestone in its journey. However, it was the acquisition of Atalanta Golden Yachts (AGY) in 2023 that truly solidified Fraser's foothold in Greece. AGY quickly rose to prominence as a leading Greek company since its inception in 2006, specialising in charter, sales and yacht management.
“AGY has always been a Greece-based company and the largest, most-respected Greece-based company over the years. It very much brought Greek yachting to where it is today,” Fotilas explains.
This strategic move not only bolstered Fraser's presence in Greece but served as a conduit for knowledge exchange and collaboration, bridging Fraser's extensive global expertise with AGY's deep-rooted understanding of the Greek yachting landscape. At the head of the team is Fotilas, a multi-industry award-winning broker, born and raised in Greece, having sold over a quarter of a billion euros worth of yachts. Popy Kaia, charter director, is a highly experienced and respected charter specialist with over 25 years of experience, 18 of those with AGY. The first person of Greek nationality to have ever been elected to the MYBA Board, Kaia is renowned for her work introducing the MYBA standard in Greece and her advocacy for the implementation of MYBA guidelines for yacht owners, captains and crew.
The team takes great pride in its highly collaborative approach, not only within the Greek office but also in coordination with Fraser brokers from over 20 international offices, including Monaco, Fort Lauderdale, San Diego, Hong Kong, Sydney, Palma and London. This ensures that when clients engage with a Fraser broker, they benefit from the collective expertise of the entire Fraser network. Such synergy enables them to remain at the forefront of market trends, offering valuable insights and guidance.
“If you don't know Greece, organising the best charter itinerary can be very complex because the coastline is huge,” Fotilas notes. “There are over 6,000 islands and islets and, of course, we are famous for our winds. But, when you know what your client wants and you know Greece, you can put those two together and work closely with the crew to make sure the client has the best experience.”
Building lasting relationships
Fraser emphasises that cultivating long-standing relationships with yacht owners, charterers, brokers and crew is key to navigating the Greek market successfully.
As Kaia points out: "Boasting a remarkable crew retention rate, Fraser fosters a culture where crew members progress from deckhand through to chief officers and captains. This commitment to nurturing long-term relationships ensures that clients enjoy the very best charter experience possible. The dedication of our captains, many of whom have been with us since their early career stages as deckhands and chief officers, together with their expertise in Greek and Mediterranean waters, contribute to the exceptional service we can provide.”
“When it comes to charter, you can't underestimate the importance of a good crew,” says Fotilas. “We understand that very well, which is why we strive to work so closely with the crew on all the yachts we represent.”
“The soul of the yacht is the crew. You can have the best yacht in the world, but if the crew is not good, then the client will not have a good time on board,” Kaia adds.
“The strong, long-standing relationships we maintain with brokers, who are not just partners but also friends, reflect the trust and mutual respect that facilitate successful collaboration and exceptional service to clients. Furthermore, the loyalty of our owners who have remained with us for years due to their trust and confidence speak for themselves about the quality of our service. We are their preferred partner as they know that we will maximise the potential charter volume of their yachts and will deliver exceptional results.” Kaia says.
The highest-value yachts in Greece
Fraser takes pride in presenting an impressive selection of high-value superyachts available for charter in Greece. Amongst these, the crown jewel stands tall as the largest yacht currently open for charter in Greece: the 95.1-metre O’Pari, built by Golden Yachts in 2020. O’Pari boasts luxurious cabins capable of accommodating up to 12 guests. She also features comprehensive wellness amenities including a gym, hammam and sauna. Equipped with a helipad and adorned with eco-friendly credentials, O’Pari offers a sought-after charter experience.
The second largest charter yacht in the fleet is 84.7-metre, Golden Yachts O'ptasia. With a recent paint job carried out on her hull and superstructure in Matterhorn white, she is looking as good as new. Her wellness centre, gym and comprehensive list of water toys make her an attractive yacht on the charter market.
Another standout vessel in the fleet is the O’Mathilde, a 56-metre built by Golden Yachts, sporting a brand-new paint job in 2023. Hosting up to 14 guests across seven cabins, O’Mathilde features an outdoor gym and with sea views, an al fresco cinema and an impressive array of water toys. Also in Fraser Greece’s fleet is the 51.8-metre Vertigo, the 51.8-metre Akira One and the 39.9-metre Mamma Mia, to name just a few.
For the full selection of Fraser's superyachts available for charter in Greece, visit the firm’s website. Additionally, to explore a curated selection of Fraser’s charter yachts in Greece, meet the team at the upcoming Mediterranean Yacht Show. With 12 charter yachts managed by Fraser on display, you will have the opportunity to visit a highly sought-after selection of yachts available to charter in Greece.
For more information or to book an appointment with Fraser at the Mediterranean Yacht Show, contact the team at Fraser Greece today.
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