In recent years, the prestigious Dutch luxury yacht builder, Royal Huisman, has been increasingly active in expanding its brand within the dynamic Asian economic region. These activities have comprised annual appearances at the Hainan Rendezvous, presence at the Singapore Yacht Show and the Asia Superyacht Rendezvous, as well as dinners and presentations for select audiences in Beijing, Hong Kong and Singapore.
In parallel, the 57.5m Royal Huisman-built ketch Twizzle yacht has become an acclaimed ambassador in the region. She has cruised and chartered extensively in Asian waters, presided spectacularly at the Singapore and Phuket shows, and won an impressive array of awards including Asia Boating Awards’ Best Custom Yacht (2011) and Best Asian-based Charter Yacht (2013).
Having established networks and friendships among owners, prospective customers, industry contacts and media representatives, Royal Huisman is now consolidating its presence in these important markets with the appointment of two highly experienced and capable Regional Liaisons.
To cover the Hong Kong region, the yard has appointed Bart Kimman, a Dutch national and director of Northrop & Johnson HK. Bart has been based in the region for 25 years and is well known and established in the industry.
To cover mainland China, the yard has appointed Rene Ho, director and founder of Martello Yachting. Rene, although a Dutch national and born in Holland, is a native Chinese speaker and is well connected in major cities throughout mainland China. He is based in Beijing.
…ambassadors for Dutch quality in superyacht building to distinguish between “what looks good” and “what seriously is good”…
The role of the Regional Liaisons will be to provide an on-the-ground presence not only in support of Royal Huisman and its customer development activities, but also in support of future clients: providing them with expert advice and guidance, especially those who are new to the world of custom superyachts and to sailing.
More specifically, this means they will act as ambassadors for Dutch quality in superyacht building; in this fastevolving market the distinction between “what looks good” and “what seriously is good” will take time to be fully appreciated. Bart and Rene will do their best to hasten that process!
As more and more yachts in the Huisman fleet are drawn to these magnificent cruising grounds, their presence in the region will add considerable weight to the expanded promotional programmes now being undertaken between the yard and its experienced new Regional Liaisons in Hong Kong and China.