The Inaugural Croatia Yacht Show was successfully held at the Zadar Cruise Port, attracting widespread attention from the global yachting community. The event gathered as many as 30 superyachts, over 3,000 visitors, and more than 200 charter brokers from 30 countries, showcasing Croatia's growing influence in the global yachting market.
The four-day show provided vibrant business and social opportunities for attendees. An innovative matchmaking app facilitated up to 4,000 business meetings and yacht tours, helping charter brokers and yachting professionals efficiently connect with potential clients and partners. This elevated the show's profile within Croatia's yacht charter market. The B2B segment of the event attracted over 500 industry professionals, further enhancing Croatia's competitiveness in the luxury yacht charter market.
In addition to the yachts on display, the show featured a variety of yachting-related products and service providers, including yacht tenders, watersports equipment, and yacht accessories. Bentley showcased its Bentley Continental GT model, drawing significant attention, while luxury cars provided by Auto Sport Adria and Luxe Rent Zagreb were also a major focus. A helicopter, supplied by Croatian Helicopter Company, was exhibited in front of the event’s flagship yacht, the 65.2-meter Feadship superyacht Trident, adding a touch of grandeur to the scene.
One of the highlights of the show was a crew uniform fashion show, where renowned Croatian designers—including Krie Design, AMR, Ana Maria Ricov, and Jet Lag—redefined crew fashion, blending practicality with avant-garde design, earning widespread praise from the audience.
The show also showcased the region's unique cuisine through a chef competition with the theme "Mediterranean with a Croatian twist." Top chefs from the participating yachts used local ingredients, combining traditional flavors with modern cooking techniques. A standout feature was the use of Zadar's famous cherries in the main course, highlighting the appeal of local produce.
Michelin-starred chef Marijo Curić, representing Dubrovnik and Croatia’s elite culinary scene, was one of the judges for the competition. He was joined by Ivana Čuljak, a cake design and dessert expert, and sustainable seafood cooking specialist David Skoko. Chef Ben Bailey from the Sanlorenzo SD90 yacht Akira won the competition with a cherry-infused Croatian dish and was invited to join next year's organizing committee.
On the final day of the show, attendees continued to enjoy yacht tours and party activities. The 35-meter Conte Stefani yacht by Horizon hosted a sunset party, featuring a photo booth, DJ performances, saxophone solos, and a selection of gourmet food and beverages, creating a lively party atmosphere.
After the show, yachts began to depart, with many heading to refit facilities for maintenance. Reflecting on the success of the event, Yachtmaster Group CEO Tino Prosenik said, "The show successfully achieved its goals, showcasing Croatia’s strong competitiveness in the luxury yacht charter market." The event perfectly combined business, luxury, and innovation, laying a solid foundation for the 2024 Croatia Yacht Show. Attendees are already looking forward to the 2025 edition.
Credits: Croatia Yacht Show
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