Monaco, Exclusivity, and the €700 Difference
Over the past decade, major international boat shows have seen a surge in demand, with the largest shows clocking tens of thousands more visitors, and previously small shows winning bigger crowds, bigger yachts, and bigger budgets. The cost of attending a boat show, though, has remained notably reasonable— except Monaco, and it's a massive exception.
This year, the standard pass price for one day is €725. That's more than double what it was just six years ago (i.e., before the year nobody wants to think about)— and that €725 only gets you access to general exhibition areas, with yacht boarding considered a VIP (and/or with broker) perk.
You can guess where this is going, but let's compare other major shows: Miami offered a day pass this year for $45, or $140 for superyacht access; Fort Lauderdale's day pass is about the same price with no separate ticket for superyachts, and Cannes' day pass was €40, with VIP access starting at €110.
It's been noted that Monaco in general is associated with a high cost for amenities— which means high costs for operating a yacht show— but Cannes and Miami, for example, also have high-demand harbors and high-cost amenities, and the breadth of the price discrepancy's difficult to explain based on minor differences between major destinations. Even so, events in Monaco are known for their fanfare, and it's too early to tell whether the price hike will sour any experiences (or attendance numbers).
The show begins tomorrow— Wednesday, an exclusive preview— and runs through Saturday, September 27th, and tickets can only be purchased online (and it's worth noting that Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show is only a month away, from October 29th through November 2nd).
For a quicker personal virtual onboard experience, check out YachtWay's full 3D yacht tours, or find one you love and contact a broker directly through the vessel's page for an in-person tour.
