Emerging Magazine Articles : We Are Hiring: China's Luxury Market Generates Yacht Careers

China is the one of the world's largest consumers of luxury brands and products.

The top 2% of China's population account for approximately 33% of the world's luxury consumption. Although China has been producing a growing list of new millionaires, the trend has slowed somewhat.

A.T. Kearney, a global management consulting firm, says that the country’s importance to luxury is likely to grow in the next three to five years as China creates more wealthy consumers.

The company said that brands such as Louis Vuitton and Gucci are leading the charge into China and now earn about a third of their global sales from Chinese customers. Add to that all of the Chinese who purchase luxury products overseas from Gucci bags in Paris and Bulgari bracelets in Manhattan—and the importance of China grows even more.

The report said that many luxury retailers are now accepting China UnionPay credit cards and are training their sales staff to speak Mandarin.

What does this mean for jobs in the yacht services industry?

Yachts are considered as floating hotels, adding to the fact, more wealthy Chinese citizens acquire personal and corporate yachts.

Captains and crew members are not only wanted, they are a requirement by law. A boat that is longer than 55 feet requires a captain, and boats longer than 100 feet need crews.

Vincenzo Poerio, chief executive of Italian yacht maker Azimut Benetti Group, said in a recent interview, “Think of it like a floating hotel, you need staff that can create the lifestyle and the luxury.”

Considering these requirements, and the hope that Azimut Benetti Group will sell four to five new yachts to the Chinese this year, the company is inaugurating master classes, as is Sunseeker International, LTD.

Both companies are binging in captains from Asia and other parts of the world for special training when they service Chinese yacht owners. Primarily, classes center lessons in regards to concierge services, navigating in Chinese marinas and planning special events.

With yacht purchases increasing in the Chinese wealth toys market, job seekers in these fields are in demand.

Chinese yacht buyers will seek persons from Australia, France, and Italy when Chinese service crews cannot fill the demand for workers aboard their boats.

Evidently the Chinese believe, hiring workers from these areas adds distinction and prestige when owning a yacht

Benetti’s Mr. Poerio said. “Chinese want workers who will stick around.” Loyalty is an important aspect of recruiting yacht industry personnel.

Simpson Marine, an Asia-based yacht dealer, Sunseeker International, LTD, a United Kingdom firm, Azimut Benetti Group, Italian yacht builder, and China’s Hainan Airlines Co. offer either training, recruitment or employment for the Chinese Market.

Website Links:

Azimut Benetti Group: http://www.azimutyachts.com/azimut-benetti-group.html

Sunseeker International, LTD: http://www.sunseeker.com/en/recruitment

Simpson Marine: http://www.simpsonmarine.com/en/misc/recruitment.aspx

Hainan Airlines Co.: 工作机会 : http://global.hnair.com/cn/classlist.php?bo=bottom/career.html