Mirta works on arranging experiences designed to provide wealthy clients with the ultimate luxury onboard yachts. Mirta is employed at one of the world's leading brokerage companies and yacht service providers, Fraser Yachts.
Mirta is Italian and grew up between Italy and France. In 2004, she was hired as a translator at Rodriguez Group, a yacht brokerage based in Cannes. She worked her way up from receptionist to broker assistant, then yacht sales broker, before discovering her passion as a retail charter broker at Fraser Yachts in Monaco.
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Can you introduce yourself by sharing your name, where you're from, your role in the yachting industry, and the company you work for?
I am Italian and grew up in a small village on the border between Italy and France. I was 18 years old when I left home to explore the world and begin working 'beyond the border.'
Since 2010, I have been a resident of Monaco, a place where the yachts of the rich and famous can be seen at any time. I am a superyacht charter broker at Fraser Yachts. I arrange luxury yacht charters for some of the wealthiest people in the world, helping clients plan, schedule, and enjoy unforgettable yacht experiences anywhere in the world.
Can you share how you first got involved in the yachting industry?
In 2004, while studying at university, I worked as a tour guide in Monaco. By chance, I was offered an entry-level position at the Rodriguez Group, a prominent yachting company based in Cannes. Initially hired as a receptionist, translator, and assistant, I quickly immersed myself in the world of yachting.
I speak five languages, which allowed me to connect with a diverse clientele and team. Although the plan was to stay for just six months, I ended up staying six years. During lunch breaks, I would read manuals and visit yachts, learning everything I could about the industry. By the end of my tenure, I was running the office and selling yachts.
With 15 years in the yachting industry, I’ve had the privilege of working with leading companies, including BURGESS, and now FRASER, where I continue to grow and contribute to this incredible field.
Can you describe your role as charter broker?
As a luxury charter broker, you are expected to travel to meet clients, build relationships, have excellent communication skills, and be a strong negotiator. In addition, you need to be highly knowledgeable about selecting the ideal charter yacht.
My job requires me to match my clients' stated and unstated criteria with the available yachts, crews, and destinations. Matching the available options to the client’s personality is an art that you master over time.
Could you walk us through a typical workday, including your main tasks and projects?
I work around the clock to respond to clients across the globe, and during the high season, I am always on call.
The first thing I do is reply to emails, followed by calling the captains of upcoming charters to review charter details. There are typically around one hundred emails exchanged between the client, broker, and crew leading up to a charter. While managing an ongoing charter, I assist the crew daily with shoreside requirements, berthing, supplier liaison, or restaurant reservations. Regardless of the season, I spend time checking the market for newly available yachts. It is essential to know the global charter fleet inside and out to advise clients proficiently.
At the end of the day, my job thrives on word-of-mouth referrals. My goal is to keep my clients happy and ensure they fully enjoy their charter.
What would you consider your biggest accomplishment or proudest moment in the yachting industry?
The greatest recognition I can possibly receive is delivering a charter where the client wants to rebook for next year before they’ve even finished their trip.
My biggest accomplishment was organizing a 60-meter charter in just three hours—in the middle of the night. I received a Skype call while I was sleeping and had to wake people up, coordinate with all parties, and negotiate a contract. It all happened because the client’s personal assistant said, “My boss wants to leave in the morning.” I work in an industry that always says yes.
What changes have you observed in the industry since you began your career?
Charter yachts are getting bigger, and as a result, charter pricing is now competing with what owning a yacht used to cost. Consequently, the world is starting to view chartering in a different way.
Clients are seeking a new kind of experience; they are no longer content with just cruising. They want water toys and entertainers to come aboard!
Get in touch with Mirta Lupi
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fraseryachts/
Website: https://www.fraseryachts.com
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