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Luxury yachting in the Fiji Islands: a stakeholders’ perspective

Vikas Gupta Discipline of Tourism andHospitalityManagement, School of BusinessManagement,

The University of the South Pacific, Suva, Fiji, and

Hiran Roy International School of Hospitality, Sports, and Tourism Management,

Fairleigh Dickinson University – Vancouver Campus, Vancouver, Canada

Abstract

Purpose – This study explored the experiences and perceptions of stakeholders concerning luxury yachting in the Fiji Islands. It also revealed the facilities provided on luxury yachts, significant challenges faced by stakeholders in the yachting business, major luxury yacht operators and the safety measures in place for the patrons/consumers of luxury yachting. Design/methodology/approach – It employed an exploratory qualitativemethodology that incorporated 16 in-depth semi-structured face-to-face interviews with stakeholders in the luxury yachting businesses via contact with superyacht agents. The interview participants for this research were selected based on a non- random sampling technique in the major marinas of the Fiji Islands (i.e. Port Denarau Marina, Copra Shed Marina, Savusavu, Royal Suva Yacht club, and Vuda marina). Findings –Results revealed that the services/facilities provided on luxury yachts are state-of-the-art; however, there is a need to integrate luxury yachting with more personalized, creative, unique and innovative experiences. Findings also suggest the need for government funding for the redevelopment/renovation of some ports and provide skill-based training for yacht employees. Originality/value –This study contributes to filling some of the gaps in the luxury yachting literature in Fiji and sheds light on stakeholders’ perceptions of the amenities offered at marinas and ports, significant challenges in the yachting industry and safety measures in place for patrons.

Keywords Luxury yacht, Fiji Islands, Qualitative, Perception, Stakeholders

Paper type Research paper

Introduction The variety of activities involving waterways has expanded dramatically along with an increase in societal wealth (Ajagunna and Casanova, 2022) and luxury yachts provide a novel experience, support jobs and the growth of tourismwhich is of social and economic significance (Dimitrovski et al., 2021). Luxury yachting blends recreation, competitiveness, impermanence and other aspects in one activity (Chao, 2012; Canavan, 2017). Yachting tourism includes selling yacht items, yacht sporting events and other activities and is usually represented by opulent furnishings and high-quality luxury services. With the flexibility to sail around various locations and live an enriching lifestyle, travelerswho can afford to do so can experience luxury yachts (Chen et al., 2016). Authorities in many nations have progressively come to understand the enormous economic value of luxury yachting and as a result, yachting tourism has been fostered in numerous nations and locations and in particular: Ireland, Spain, Italy, NewZealand and developing countries like Fiji (Yao et al., 2021a, b).

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This research is a part of the fully funded research grant no. SRC 03/2022/2.1.2 of The University of the South Pacific, Laucala Campus, Fiji Islands. The authors are grateful to the university for providing the funds for data collection. The authors are also grateful to Ms. Cynthia Rasch, CEO of Port Denarau Marina, Nadi, Fiji, andMs. Nirvana fromCopra ShedMarina, Savusavu for providing the necessary data resources for this study. The authors also recognize the contribution of Ms. Nanise Masau in providing the important leads for the data collection.

The current issue and full text archive of this journal is available on Emerald Insight at:

https://www.emerald.com/insight/1755-4217.htm

Received 21 March 2023 Revised 22 March 2023

Accepted 22 March 2023

Worldwide Hospitality and Tourism Themes

Vol. 15 No. 4, 2023 pp. 409-421

DOI 10.1108/WHATT-03-2023-0041

https://doi.org/10.1108/WHATT-03-2023-0041

Yachting tourism in the Fiji Islands has become essential for countries that view tourism as a tool for progression because of its ecosystem, national assets, the volume of future business from yachting, employment prospects generated, foreign currency revenue, socioeconomic and cultural impact, and the rising prevalence of policy reform incentive schemes for the industry (Economic Impact of Luxury Yachting in Fiji, 2018). Yachting Tourism is a subset of Maritime Tourism, which is defined as “active vacations interacting with the waters.” Many yachting guests engage with locals when they tour cities, and cultural and historical sites, go shopping, and enjoy social venues such as food places, pubs, and dance clubs, among others (Dimitrovski et al., 2021). Considering this, the Fijian government has maintained its thrust for enhanced yachting tourism activities, with importance placed on improved yachting amenities and the formation of comprehensive marinas in new locations, as stated in the Fiji Tourism development plan (2021). Yachting-related spending and the economic implications may be more pervasive as yachts travel to remote areas and locations too (Fiji Yachting Survey, 2021). The perceptions and experiences of luxury yacht stakeholders fromFiji’s leadingmarinas (Port Denarau, Copra Shed and Vuda) were recorded in this study to provide a sense of the facilities/ amenities available on luxury yachts and the major challenges faced by them, which may be helpful for the Fijian government in strategizing for advances in this industry. Given the significance of yachting tourism and harbors, there is an opportunity to encourage focused industry growth to strengthen the sector’s constructive influence on the local economy.

Luxuries are often associated with tangible or visible contentment because they are “things of enjoyment and satisfaction” that give physical or material pleasure (Hayden, 2003). Since they typically involve an indulgence, luxury goods or services can also be considered “as belongings that bring pleasure and satisfaction”. They are usually characterized by a qualitative improvement over basic goods (Miracle, 2002; Yao et al., 2021a, b). Luxury yachts are generally considered to be high-end leisure services, not just in terms of price but in relation to the quality of the sailing experience, the meals and drinks served on deck, the decoration, haute couture, interior decoration, craftsmanship, available water sports, and possibly a combination of all these elements and qualities (Chao, 2012). When a company’s expertise and artistry is optimal, the goods, products or services are often considered to be luxurious (Franklyn-Green et al., 2022). In this context, luxury yachts have been noted to offer a modern, cutting-edge and state-of-the-art sailing experience (Han and Hyun, 2018; Kiatkawsin and Han, 2019) and the most expensive water-based activity (O’Cass and Frost, 2002; O’Cass and Choy, 2008) that is least frequently used (Kim et al., 2006). Researchers often use terms like “luxury yachting” to describe yachting operations that are of superior quality (Han and Jeong, 2013; Kim et al., 2006) though the aim here is to discern a deeper understanding of the relationship between luxury yachting and stakeholders, how luxury yacht stakeholders in Fiji Islands perceive the facilities provided at the ports/marinas, and the major challenges they face regarding luxury yachting operations.

This study has implications for academics, practitioners and stakeholders in the yacht and cruise tourism industry. Concerning academic relevance, the study analyzes the stakeholder’s perspective regarding luxury yachting patronage in the Fiji Islands. Previous studies (Han and Jeong, 2013; Lim and O’Cass, 2001) on luxury yachting were based on consumer perceptions and experiences of luxury yachting (Lim and O’Cass, 2001), the level of services offered on the yacht and how it affected the customers’ willingness to pay a price premium (Hwang and Hyun, 2013), together with the main activities associated with luxury yachts (Lim andO’Cass, 2001; Stoeckl et al., 2010). However, no research to-date seems to have explored the perceptions and experiences of stakeholders in luxury yachts in the context of Fiji. The main objectives of this study are: 1. To identify the major luxury yacht operators in the Fiji Islands; 2. to explore the experiences and perceptions of stakeholders in relation to luxury yachting in the Fiji Islands; and 3. to examine the facilities provided on luxury yachts and the challenges faced by stakeholders in the yachting business.

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Literature review Luxury yachting in Fiji and its key stakeholders The Fiji Islands are the second-most populated Pacific Archipelago, comprising 884,887 inhabitants. Fiji’s travel and tourism industry is among the most important in the Pacific Islands, directly employing 26.3% of the nation’s workforce. Tourism drives the Fijian economy, accounting for around 34% of GDP and 26.3% of overall employment (International Finance Corporation Report, 2019). This output is greater than the 33% average for other Islands in the pacific. Among the issues in Fiji, its fragile ecology is a key concern and so stakeholders in the yacht industry must ensure that their yacht operations do not endanger its marine ecology. To entice tourists to visit Fijian yachts, stakeholders must combine green practices with best-in-class services on board and inmarinas to entice tourists with Fijian hospitality at its best. Fijian yacht tourism is a significant and expanding industry that affects many aspects of Fiji’s economy. However, stakeholders have a poor understanding of how the luxury yacht business works, what it adds to GDP, and the importance of unlocking critical barriers.

Fiji’s yacht industry has expanded rapidly over the last decade, with yearly arrivals more than quadrupling since 2010 (Economic Impact of International Yachting in Fiji Report, 2018). The popularity of luxury cruising in Australia and New Zealand has boosted the demand for luxury cruise tourism in Fiji. Australian cruise travelers have increased by 30% since 2015, making Australia the fourth most popular cruise market. Over 239,270 cruise passengers entered Fiji in 2018, boarding at four major harbors: Suva, Denarau, Copra Shed marina, Savusavu and Vuda marina (International Finance Corporation Report, 2019). Luxury cruising also offers a unique holiday concept for Fiji’s tourism arrivals through an air tourism experience, giving yacht travelers a flavor of the Fijian hospitality experience. In 2018, yacht operators, customers and teams invested FJ$44.2m (US$21.4m) in Fiji and in this context, the yacht tourism sector contributed 0.66% to Fiji’s GDP. Each luxury cruise voyage contributes an average of FJ$305,000 (US$147,000) in expenditure per port of entry, and each cruise traveler generates an estimated FJ$90 (US$44) in cost. The yacht industry is anticipated to create up to 4,593 full-time equivalents (FTE) career opportunities in Fiji. The total estimated direct spending by yachts in Fiji in 2018 is FJ$10.6m (US$5.2m) (Fiji Yachting Survey, 2021). When docking at a bigger harbor or marina, yachts must pay various fees to the local government, port operators, and logistics and transportation companies, such as customs and border control fees, quarantine fees, port mooring fees, etc. At each port of call, customers are required to pay a customs and border control fee, the amount of which depends on the itinerary, the day of the week, yacht dimensions and travelers’ home countries. Apart from this, prepaid tours and shore trips represent a significant share of passenger expenditure at marinas. The rest is spent on food, beverages and shopping (souvenirs and apparel).

Considering the exponential growth potential of yacht tourism in Fiji, stakeholders need to create new sailing routes for existing destinations like Yasawa Island group, Levuka, Mamanuca group, Vanua Levu and Kadavu and, introduce innovative product options for tourists’ ultimate cruise experience. This must be achieved by customizing the cruise packages with the local Fijian communities through their local handicrafts, souvenirs, apparel, ethnic cuisine, and arts & craft. This will help yacht tourists to learn about local Fijian culture and traditions. It is also important for stakeholders in the yacht sector to provide all necessary facilities at the major marinas across Fiji, such as dining, recreation, shopping, etc., as this contributes to the overall tourist experience. The Fijian government is considering redeveloping prominent ports such as Suva to enhance accessibility, passenger onshore spending and destination experience. Though a few reports (International Finance Corporation Report, 2019) are available in support of yacht tourism in Fiji, there has been no prior research on the luxury yacht stakeholder’s

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perspective in Fiji. Moreover, existing studies have not explored the challenges and issues faced by stakeholders relating to amenities provided on luxury yachts, existing sailing routes, availability of sufficient docking ports, facilities provided at the marinas, safety and security facilities during Cyclones and local government support and this study aims to close these gaps.

Methodology Questionnaire design The study used a single set of three-sectioned qualitative research tools based on previous research in a similar domain (Kiatkawsin and Han, 2019; O’Cass, 2004; Xiao, 2015) to conduct 16 in-depth, semi-structured interviews with key stakeholders in the luxury yachting industry through face-to-face interviews and direct contact with superyacht agents. The majormarinas in the Fiji Islandswere the sites of the non-random sampling technique utilized to select the interview participants for this study (i.e. Port Denarau, Copra Shed Marina (Savusavu), Royal Suva Yacht club and Vuda marina). The first section of the investigation focused on the socio-demographic variables of stakeholders in the luxury yachting business in the Fiji Islands, including their gender, age, place of residence, marital status, annual income, level of education, type and designation of employment, and job experiences. The second section included questions on their perceptions about the facilities/services provided in luxury yachts/ports in Fiji, which were obtained on a five-point Likert scale ranging from strongly disagree to strongly agree.

Based on earlier research in related fields, the observed variables used in this study were empirically validated (Kiatkawsin and Han, 2019; O’Cass, 2004). In the final section, open- ended questions about the significant challenges faced by stakeholders in the luxury yachting business were posed. The questionnaire tool also had a single filter question at the beginning of the interview. It asked whether respondents are involved in providing luxury yacht services/facilities in the Fiji Islands. The respondents who answered “yes” were interviewed further. After finalizing the survey form, which was organized in English (since themajority of the stakeholders in Fiji can read English), a one-day pilot studywas conducted on three stakeholders, with minor modifications to one socio-demographic variable (the addition of a designation category) and two measurement items (the addition of a non-binary Gender category and annual income in Fijian dollars).

Data collection To obtain data for this study, convenience sampling was employed, and stakeholders who agreed to participate were interviewed further (Paker and Vural, 2016). Initial contacts were made with the stakeholders through email to inform stakeholders about the research agenda and questionnaire tool. Necessary ethical approvals for the data collection process were obtained, and incentives in the form of small gifts/souvenirs were provided to stakeholders as this research was part of the lead author’s university-funded research project on luxury yachts. The respondents’ confidentiality was fully protected (as stated in the interview questionnaire). Port Denarau marina, Royal Suva Yacht club, Copra Shed Marina, Savusavu and Vuda Marina (near Lautoka) in the Fiji Islands served as boarding sites for luxury yachts and were visited to collect data from luxury yacht stakeholders. Given stakeholders’ requests not to disclose their names/company names, author/s kept their comments anonymous. It took approximately eight weeks (November 2022 to January 2023) to collect data from Fijian luxury yacht stakeholders. The size of the sample for the in-depth interviews was ascertained by “saturation,” or the juncture at which no

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new information or notions can be observed within the data (Sariisik et al., 2011; Xu et al., 2010). Each interview lasted between 40 and 60 min.

We posed these key questions to yacht stakeholders: Are you satisfied with the amenities/ facilities provided on luxury yachts in Fiji? Are sailing routes for luxury yachting in Fiji sufficient to explore the nearby islands? Are you satisfied with the number of docking ports? Do these ports provide adequate facilities for your operations even during cyclone season? Are the parking/ docking fees at the marinas reasonable? What are the major challenges faced in this business? What are the essential areas that require urgent interventions by government? What measures have you taken for patrons’ safety while yachting after the Covid-19 pandemic? Using Atlas.Ti version 9.1.2 and Schmidt’s (2004) coding manual, the interviews were recorded and analyzed, and the corresponding transcript was prepared. TheMiles and Huberman (1994) factor method was employed to examine related studies to identify key factors affecting how stakeholders perceive the facilities and services offered by luxury yachts and ports in the Fiji Islands. The various variables were examined and established using pertinent and significant interviewee transcripts.The researchers also compiled a list of prominent luxuryyachts operating in theFiji Islands alongwith information about their operators, the name of the vessel, guest capacity and other important information. Table 1 provides this information.

Results and discussion The ages of the respondents (N5 16) ranged from 24 to 66 years, based on the demographic information. Most of the respondents were women (62.5%), married (56.25%), between the ages of 36–45 (68.75%), had a family income between FJ$45001 and FJ$65000 (62.50%) and had education attainment at graduate level (75%). The majority of the individuals who respondedwere full-time employees (68.75%)whoworked in Port DenarauMarina (50%) and had prior experience in the yacht/cruise industry for 3–5 years (62.50%).

Our findings regarding the perception of facilities/services provided by luxury yachts revealed some interesting stakeholder comments. The majority of stakeholders felt that the services/facilities provided on luxury yachts are state-of-the-art and aligned with global yachting standards. However, a few stakeholders felt that considering the ever- changing preferences of yacht patrons, there is a need to integrate the luxury yachting experience with more personalized, creative, unique and innovative services that reflect Fijian hospitality:

We have some of the best, state-of-the-art luxury yachts that offer our clients inclusive luxury. Fiji is well known for its happy and friendly people, which we portray in our luxury yachting from guests’ onboarding until they disembark. -Anonymous

In our yachts, we make sure that our guests feel relaxed and enjoy a great Fiji time. We ensure that our services have elements of Fijian hospitality, from d�ecor, lighting, entertainment, marine experiences, onboard services, and fine dining. -Anonymous

Our clients’ demand keeps on changing. We always strive to ensure that our clients have the best experience with us. In this context we aim to ensure that we are integrating novel, personalized, innovative, and unique services with traditional luxury yachting. -Anonymous

Our results suggest that luxury yachting services provided in Fiji are not overpriced, and guests find that the services offered are comparatively cheaper than in other countries in the South Pacific region/Oceania. Further, this aligns with the Fiji Cruise study’s (2019) findings. It was also revealed that most stakeholders in the luxury yachting business consider the sailing/cruising routes in Fiji to be sufficient for the region. However, they do suggest a need to combine or integrate one itinerary with the other to provide guests with more comprehensive destination coverage:

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Fiji is considered one of themost affordable destinations in the South Pacific region for luxury yachting. Our clients mainly come from Australia and New Zealand, where the yachting preposition is multiple times more expensive than in Fiji. They feel that they have better value for money in terms of their yachting experience here. -Anonymous

Most of our luxury yacht clients are honeymooners or vacationers looking for routes away from the city in the sea. We provide some of the most secluded, pristine and beautiful beach destinations for our guests with best-in-class sustainable luxury for luxury yachting routes. -Anonymous

Findings relating to the availability of a skilled workforce in the yachting business reveal some interesting results. Most stakeholders said that they faced the challenge of a limited, skilled workforce. Their comments indicated that the job turnover in the yachting industry is very high, and that it is difficult for stakeholders to find people with appropriate skills. Our results also suggested that stakeholders were satisfied with the number of docking ports in Fiji. However, they raised concerns about the facilities provided at the ports, high parking/ mooring fees and slow administrative protocols (including slow customs clearances, immigration, etc.) while mooring or docking. Stakeholders also mentioned the need for government funding to redevelop and renovate some ports in the Fiji Islands to provide better services to tourists. This result was in line with the Fiji Yachting Survey (2021).

Operator Name of vessel Type of vessel Charter type

Guest capacity Location

Trade-Winds Fiji Various Charter Boat and Catamaran

Luxury charter

06–25 Port Denarau

Tandem Skydive (Fiji) Ltd

Moale Catamaran Luxury Charter

25 Port Denarau

Coral cats Adventure

Miss Minnie Catamaran Day trip 06 Port Denarau

Coral Cats Zig Zag Charter Boat Day Trip 10 Port Denarau Coral cats Adventure

Wanaka Catamaran Day trip 25 Port Denarau

Krysna XXX Catamaran Luxury Charter

20 Vuda Marina

Anonymous Zikr 45-footer Luxury Charter

25 Port Denarau

Anonymous Minggal Charter Boat Day trip 10 Copra Shed Marina

Anonymous Rekito Charter Boat Day trip 06 Copra Shed Marina

Anonymous Talanoa Charter Boat Day trip 06 Copra Shed Marina

Anonymous Aparima Lagoon Catamaran Luxury Charter

30 Port Denarau

Anonymous Spirit of the Pacific

Topsail Schooner Luxury Charter

100 Port Denarau

Captain Cook Cruises

Fiji One Catamaran Day Charter 220 Port Denarau

Cruisin Fiji Pte Ltd Catalyst Catamaran Day trip 10 Port Denarau OneWay ticket Pte Ltd

Various Catamaran Luxury Charter

06–25 Port Denarau

Oniva Oniva Orana 44 Luxury Catamaran

08 Port Denarau

Source(s): Authors

Table 1. Most prominent luxury yachts operating in Fiji Islands

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To provide guests with ultimate luxury experiences while yachting, we require highly skilled people, i.e. chefs, butlers, marine engineers, etc. However, the job retention rates in the luxury yachting industry are pretty low as it involves labor-intensive work, which poses a significant challenge for our business. -Anonymous

Laid-back culture is the essence of Fiji, and this is the reason why most of the tourists visit our country. But, when the same is reflected in the local administrative procedures such as customs clearances, immigration, etc., it becomes frustrating. -Anonymous

Our findings revealed that most stakeholders found that the safety and security measures in place at the ports in Fiji during the cyclone season were insufficient; however, they were impressed with the facilities provided for tourist dining at the marinas. Results revealed that stakeholders think that the luxury yachting business is highly profitable; however, they feel that the salaries and wages provided to the industry’s staff are insufficient and quite low compared to other sectors. This finding was consistent with earlier findings in similar domains (Ali et al., 2021; Gupta et al., 2023).

Fiji has a long cyclone season from November until April every year. During this period, we need safety assurance for our yachts from the marina administration. Except for Port Denarau, other marinas in Fiji have minimal safety facilities such as "Cyclone pits," Therefore, we usually sail our yachts to other countries at the onset of cyclone season here in Fiji. -Anonymous

The luxury yachting business in Fiji is very profitable if you can satisfy the needs and demands of clients from different countries. In our business, we have to take care of even the smallest requests of our clients. -Anonymous

Our findings concerning the main challenges faced by the stakeholders revealed the following results. Stakeholders discussed the slight variation in experiences and tours between the different ports in Fiji. The majority of visitors to Fiji typically seek out authentic and unique interactions. Nevertheless, every port lacks its distinct cultural alignment, and the selection of yacht tour choices is more or less identical throughout the ports. This poses a significant challenge for the stakeholders in terms of providing unique experiences to guests boarding from different ports. Stakeholders suggested that to resolve this issue, developing new cruise destinations becomes quite significant in order to provide guests with memorable experiences. Another challenge for Fiji’s yachting industry is a lack of funding/limited support from the government and almost negligible support during the Covid-19 pandemic. Stakeholders proposed that the Fiji government should provide the necessary support (financial, administrative) to all the marinas for their infrastructure and economic development and simplifying the customs, mooring and immigration formalities. They also suggested that to enhance the client experience at marinas and to promote the ethnic Fijian culture, the government should take the necessary steps to build the essential infrastructure concerning local community participation or develop these marinas as community-based tourism sites for foreign tourists:

If you travel around Fiji’s various marinas, you will find that the facilities, yacht tour packages, and even the destinations covered are almost identical. To capture a greater share of the luxury yachting industry, it is essential to provide new marine routes. -Anonymous

Superyachts (size>24m) are a significant source of revenue in Fiji. However, due to their large size, the docking facilities for these yachts are minimal (they are currently only available in Port Denarau marina). Hence, it would be great if the government could also support these enhanced facilities in other marinas. -Anonymous

Stakeholders also revealed that the yacht industry has a significant share in tourism development in Fiji. During Covid-19, their businesses were very severely impacted as there were no tourist movements. However, to revitalize the industry, ports have taken adequate

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measures to build tourist confidence in cruising/yachting. It involved adhering to all Covid-19 prevention protocols, screening guests while boarding and training staff members at the yacht or port.

Conclusion and implications This research addresses some gaps regarding the perceptions of stakeholders in the luxury yacht business in Fiji and sheds light on what the stakeholders perceive about the facilities/ amenities offered at marinas and ports, significant challenges in the yachting industry and safety measures in place for the patrons. The core contribution is the generation of factors through in-depth interviews, which influence the luxury yachting industry in Fiji.

Our results highlight the fact that Fiji has a long cyclone season which limits the inflow of yacht tourists; however, the length of time spent by tourists in Fiji might well be extended if it becomes a year-round yachting destination. Fiji has four cruising zones, each with a unique set of activities and amenities that could keep yachts occupied for more than a sailing season. The idea of designated cruising zones based on major yachting ports deserves serious consideration by the local authorities. Each sailing region has the potential to be openly encouraged and managed. This would aid in defining and clarifying a range of yachting possibilities (or products). Discreetly designated (and marketed) sailing regions would also assist in portraying the regional and cultural diversity of various sections of Fiji, supporting the narrative of a full-season, or perhaps multi-season, sailing location.

Our findings suggest that Fiji is considered an affordable and attractive yachting destination in the Oceania region; however, some luxury yachting/cruising areas are still under-utilized. Therefore, to encourage prolonged vacations, it is important to boost awareness of Fiji as a “luxury yachting brand” and increase the perception of Fiji as a full- season or multi-season location. Also, the development of the luxury yacht industry in Fiji and the country’s unique location in Oceania has resulted in high demand for yacht repair and technical support. These operations necessitate greater expertise than other tourism categories, resulting in specialized and skilled labor formation. Consequently, wages in the Fijian yacht service sector are often higher than in other tourism-related industries. Several stakeholders spoke about the difficulty of retaining skilled employees during the interviews and their determination to retain employees via higher pay and training. Given this, the government and local educational institutes need to look into organizing the necessary skill-based courses to meet the needs of the yachting industry in Fiji.

Considering the findings of our study, it is important that operators take advantage of the private and public sectors’ readiness to assist and invest in brand-new yachting facilities and to enhance governmental awareness and appreciation for the positive effects of yachting. Additionally, streamlining the complicated arrival clearance procedures for yachts sailing from foreign countries in Fiji will also boost the revenue for the industry. Finally, it is important to simplify the drawn-out investment processes for maritime infrastructure to attract capital from other nations for the industry’s growth.

Limitations and scope for future research During this study, we encountered a few limitations that suggest a need for additional research. First, since the study was conducted in Fiji, the findings may not be generalized to other countries as the perception of the luxury yacht business among stakeholders in those countries may differ. Secondly, this study was conducted during the cyclone season in Fiji (November 2022 to January 2023) when tourist traffic was low, and this might have affected stakeholder perceptions.

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