NauticEd Reports Surge In Yacht Bookings and Online Education

As consumer travel surges ahead on a tide of pent-up demand, NauticEd — a leader in global sailing education and a global yacht charter agency – has reported an increase in vacation yacht bookings almost 10 times greater than 2020 and 38% greater than pre-COVID years. It is also seeing a 30% increase in online course enrollments over 2020 figures.

“During the pandemic, most travelers cautiously sheltered in place to avoid COVID-19,” said Grant Headifen, NauticEd founder and global director of education.  “As travelers re-emerge, many new customers are telling us that being stuck at home inspired them to try something they’ve fantasized for years: escaping on a luxury sailboat with their family and learning how to sail. In fact, 43% of our new students surveyed said their desire was to skipper a yacht on a sailing vacation or adventure.”

NauticEd’s dramatic 38% increase in its vacation yacht bookings over pre-COVID years mirrors the overall increase in U.S. travel bookings of the past two months. Consumers, emboldened by recent CDC data that shows nearly 50% of the U.S. population has received one vaccination shot or more, are primed for adventure.

According to a survey conducted by Destination Analysts, as of Memorial Day the number of Americans concerned about contracting the coronavirus, the pandemic’s impact on personal finances, as well as the national economy hit historic lows. The percentage of those sharing the perception of travel and leisure activities as unsafe was cut in half compared to the beginning of the year. It prompted U.S. consumers to dream about travel again, and, based on NauticEd’s spike in inquiries and resulting business, it appears many dreamed about sailing.

An international leader in sailing education, NauticEd has provided over 250,000 courses, including a mix of both virtual and live instruction, since its founding in 2008. Besides the uptick in vacation yacht bookings, NauticEd’s 30% increase in online educational course enrollments not only demonstrates a growing demand for boating and sailing education, but a new trend in how people choose to learn.

NauticEd is the first sailing educator to receive official American National Standards recognition. Its e-learning approach allows students to gain knowledge and learn sailing theory online via multimedia instructional modules that are totally customized to meet their needs, all within the comfort of their home and from their preferred device. When NauticEd students show up at an accredited school for their on-the-water training, they already have learned the language and theory of sailing. It enables them to maximize one-on-one time with a qualified instructor while exclusively focusing on practical skills. The result for students is greater sailing competency.

A key benefit of NauticEd’s business model is its two-prong approach to the sailing experience, allowing its customers to learn, travel, charter and take vacations. Not only does it offer global yacht charter services and more than 24 comprehensive online courses, but its integrated course documentation and sailing resume provides charter companies with exactly what they need to validate a student’s actual skill level and experience.

As part of its global outreach program, NauticEd offers two free online instructional courses. For information, visit www.nauticed.org/two-free-sailing-courses or www.nauticed.org.