Emerging yachting tourism and luxury policy mobility: Singapore and the Southeast Asian extension

This study seeks to examine the significance and potential of yachting tourism in Singapore using the ‘policy mobility’ lens. This approach considers the adoption and adaptation of a tourism policy, in this case by taking into account the historical context of yachting in Singapore as a means of recreating a negotiated space that is in continuous adjustment with its contemporary society. The study conducts extensive scoping of the development and expansion of yachting marinas and the nautical activities appearing horizontally (e.g. regattas) and vertically (e.g. residential enclaves and restaurants). The contribution is the critical assessment of luxury yachting tourism in Singapore and Southeast Asia. The findings indicate the need for a more pronounced policy promoting luxury yachting tourism and a broader regional yachting agreement on transboundary navigation for leisure boats to invigorate the luxury yachting segment in Southeast Asia to a level similar to the Caribbean and European Mediterranean Seas