CHARTER MARKET REPORT
JANUARY - MARCH ( Q1 # 2026
OVERVIEW
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
LATEST GLOBAL CHARTER MARKET TRENDS
GLOBAL CHARTER BOOKINGS 2026 YTD BY LOCATION
SUMMER SEASON 2026 YTD CHARTER BOOKINGS BY LOCATION
WINTER SEASON 2026 YTD CHARTER BOOKINGS BY LOCATION
GLOBAL CHARTER FLEET OUTLOOK
IYC
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Executive summary
The 2026 charter market recorded a healthy winter season, with bookings showing moderate growth year-on-year. Demand remained concentrated in core destinations, led by the Caribbean, while other regions maintained stable activity levels.
Following a solid start to the year, increasing macroeconomic uncertainty began to weigh on market momentum toward the end of Q1. The market is still expected to deliver an overall healthy summer season, with booking and charter activity likely to pick up closer to the start of the peak months.
This report provides an overview of the 2026 charter market, with a focus on global booking patterns and reservation trends across both winter and summer seasons. IYC continues to closely monitor market dynamics and evolving client preferences, which remain key factors shaping current and future industry trends.
The IYC Intelligence Team
Latest Charter Market Trends & Outlook
A HEALTHY 2026 WINTER CHARTER SEASON
The 2026 Winter season (November 2025 – April 2026) recorded healthy activity, with total bookings increasing by 8% year-on-year. This reflects a stable level of demand across the market. The Caribbean continues to dominate as the leading winter destination, supported by strong performance over the holiday period, while The Bahamas performed broadly in line with the 2025 season. Southeast Asia maintained steady booking levels, demonstrating consistent demand, while the Indian Ocean remains a smaller market, despite some improvement in activity compared to last year.
POSITIVE OUTLOOK FOR THE 2026 SUMMER CHARTER SEASON
Early indicators for the 2026 summer season show bookings reaching approximately 47% of total 2025 levels, reflecting a measured start to the year. In line with the current macroeconomic environment, a higher proportion of last-minute bookings is expected, with activity likely to concentrate closer to the peak summer months. Overall, the charter market continues to demonstrate healthy demand levels, supported by evolving booking patterns and increased price sensitivity.
EAST MEDITERRANEAN GREECE REMAINS DESTINATION
The East Mediterranean the global charter nearly half of all strong performance demand in Greece have increased their to 2025. Greece charter destination, enduring appeal. experienced a slower activity is expected season approaches.
MEDITERRANEAN LEADS, REMAINS TOP CHARTER
Mediterranean continues to dominate charter market, accounting for bookings YTD in 2026. This performance is driven by sustained Greece and Croatia, both of which their market share compared remains the world’s leading destination, reinforcing the region’s
The West Mediterranean has slower start to the year, though expected to pick up as the summer approaches.
ONGOING GLOBAL CHARTER FLEET GROWTH
The global charter fleet continues to expand, increasing competition across all key markets. As more yachts enter the charter landscape, differentiation is becoming increasingly important, with yacht condition, onboard amenities, and overall guest experience playing a central role in securing bookings. Features such as a wide selection of water toys, wellness facilities, and the presence of chase tenders are becoming increasingly important considerations for charter clients. In some areas, however, fleet growth combined with relatively stable demand is leading to a slight decline in the average number of charter weeks booked per yacht.
ENERGY COSTS INFLUENCING CHARTER BEHAVIOR
Rising energy costs, particularly fuel prices, could increasingly influence charter decision making and itinerary planning. As a result, a shift toward more fuel-efficient itineraries is expected, with a preference for shorter transit distances and more localized cruising areas. This environment may also encourage a more considered approach to overall budget allocation, which could in turn influence yacht selection. In some cases, this may lead clients to consider yachts with a lower average weekly rate as a way to accommodate potentially higher APA costs.