CHARTER MARKET REPORT
JANUARY - SEPTEMBER 2025
OVERVIEW
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
LATEST GLOBAL CHARTER MARKET TRENDS
GLOBAL CHARTER BOOKINGS 2025 YTD BY LOCATION
SUMMER SEASON 2025 YTD CHARTER BOOKINGS BY LOCATION
WINTER SEASON 2026 YTD CHARTER BOOKINGS BY LOCATION
GLOBAL CHARTER FLEET OUTLOOK
IYC RETAINS ITS
DISCLAIMER
The IYC team has worked hard to ensure that all facts and information printed in this report at the time of publication are correct. IYC cannot accept responsibility for any errors, omissions or inaccuracies and is not responsible for or owes any duty of care to any party seeking to rely on the content of the report. Any such reliance shall be taken at the persons’ own responsibility. No part of this report may be reproduced without the permission of IYC.
Executive summary
In 2025, the charter market has maintained stable overall activity, with the number of weeks booked remaining in line with 2024. Following a healthy winter season, summer bookings began on a strong note, supported by solid early demand. Activity softened during the second quarter due to broader macroeconomic factors, resulting in an increase in last-minute bookings and a shorter booking window. Nevertheless, overall summer performance remained healthy and consistent with last year’s levels. Looking ahead, bookings for the 2026 winter charter season are building steadily, with early indicators pointing to an active season ahead.
This report provides a comprehensive overview of the 2025 charter market, with a particular focus on global booking patterns and reservation trends across the summer and winter seasons. IYC continues to monitor market dynamics and evolving client preferences closely, both of which are playing a key role in shaping current and emerging industry trends.
The IYC Intelligence Team
Latest Charter Market Trends & Outlook
2025 EARLY BOOKINGS GAVE WAY TO LAST MINUTE SURGE
Booking activity gained strong traction early in 2025, signaling a positive start to the season. Yet, as the months unfolded, macroeconomic pressures moderated momentum, leading to softer demand through Q2. During the summer, booking patterns shifted noticeably, with clients favoring shorter lead times and a spike in lastminute inquiries in June. Despite these shifts, the summer charter season remained robust overall, with total activity broadly in line with 2024, though marked by a more compressed booking window than in previous years.
RISE IN LAST MINUTE BOOKINGS AND SPECIAL OFFERS
In the second quarter of 2025, heightened macroeconomic uncertainty prompted clients to take a more cautious stance, leading to a marked increase in last-minute charter activity. As booking behavior evolved, the industry responded with a greater prevalence of special offers, adapting to shorter planning horizons and the changing pace of demand.
EXPANDING
INCREASES COMPETITION
The expansion of remains steady, yachts entering the fleet broadens, has intensified, placing quality, service excellence, experiences as key charter demand the increase in available certain regions, has average booked weeks
EXPANDING CHARTER FLEET
COMPETITION
of the global charter fleet with a growing number of the market each year. As the competition among vessels placing greater emphasis on excellence, and distinctive guest key differentiators. While overall continues to show strength, available yachts, particularly in has led to a slight reduction in weeks per vessel.
EAST MEDITERRANEAN MAINTAINS MARKET LEADERSHIP
The East Mediterranean continues to lead the global market as the region with the highest charter demand, accounting for 50% of total bookings. This strong performance is largely driven by sustained activity in Greece and Croatia, though the latter recorded a slight decline compared to last year. Greece remains the world’s leading charter destination, reaffirming the region’s enduring appeal. The West Mediterranean recorded a modest yearover-year increase in charter volume. Both France and Italy achieved higher market shares than in 2024, reflecting strengthened demand across the region.
POSITIVE OUTLOOK FOR THE 2026 WINTER CHARTER SEASON
Following a strong 2025 winter charter season, momentum is building steadily for the upcoming 2026 season, which is expected to be healthy. Enquiries continue to convert into confirmed bookings, with the Caribbean maintaining its position as the dominant destination and The Bahamas experiencing a slower start. Meanwhile, Southeast Asia is gaining traction, reflecting growing interest and expanding charter activity across the region.