Jurgen Scharkosi
just because something doesn’t do what you want it to do doesn’t mean it’s uselessSUMMER BY THE OCEAN
There is nothing better than enjoying a relaxed day at the ocean and catching a fish for dinner. Well, almost…
Having witnessed the consolidation in the cruise business in recent years, it’s refreshing to see more and more niche markets opening up. It’s not that they were not always there, people just seem to look a lot more into different directions.
Saying that, new trading areas are being developed, adding to the profile of an ever increasing cruise market. If it wouldn’t be for the rising oil prices, it would be a perfect world. But then, who lives in a perfect world? Would we enjoy that as much as trying to solve the problems every day life presents us with?
Its at least as exciting as catching that fish for dinner.
MORGAN STANLEY ISSUES US RECESSION ALERT!
This article was published in December 2007 by the British TELEGRAPH newspaper http://www.telegraph.co.uk/money/main.jhtml?view=DETAILS&grid=A1YourView&xml=/money/2007/12/11/cnusa111.xml.
What Next?
Since then I observed the ecenomic news pages more carefully as I usually would.
Now, three months later, it appears that the warning turned out to be rather realistic and whatever it is, is going to hit the fan in not too distant future. Most of us are aware that a serious economic crisis in the US will effect Europe just as well as the rest of the industrial world.
An interesting question now is: What Next?
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Sit it out and hang in there?
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Open a small business where I don’t depend on decisions of a large company?
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Migrate? If so, where to? China, Russia, Arabic Countries?
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Or simply refuse to believe what is appearantly about to happen?
The time in which we live suggests that people will react different to a recession or an economic crisis. The development in transport and information made the world a lot smaller than it was at the last economical disaster.
Will it be a disaster? or is it simply an evolution, a turn of the wheel, a rejuvination….
MARITIME PLEASURE
Yes, it’s busy in the Maritime Leisure sector. While cruise ships continue to grow in size – and generate more first time cruisers – the demand on cruising onboard smaller vessels with access to remote or uninhabited places increases. This opens a number of opportunities for small operators and newcomers.
After experiencing the glitzy world of 3,000 or 4,000 passenger vessels with the most amazing amenities, a good percentage of holiday makers opt to try out a soft adventure or individually tailored holiday with a more substantial shoreside programme. Presently, I have the pleasure of exploring the market and participate in such holidays in order to evaluate the potentials of alternative cruise programmes. My client, a tour operator, is eager to offer an upscale product in the lower luxury or high middle stream segment with such individuality that customers can choose their programme according to their requirements or wishes. The product should also be affordable for middle range earners and present a good value for money.
Having spent most of my life in tourism with cruise holidays, I am pleasantly surprised of the quality, variety and quantity of really interesting destinations, activities, nature and culture, which have not entered the tourist mainstream yet and most likely will not in the near future. These days the life of Western Civilisation is dominated by mobile phones, televisions, work pressure and an ever faster lifestyle. This tends to result in a change of holiday demands. While some time ago there was a high demand on activity holidays, it appears that more people, including under 35’s, are looking for places without additional, artificially created stress such as “fun and games at the pool”. With this I do not mean that today’s holiday customers want to sit on the beach and do nothing – although a day or two of this is always welcome. It means that standing in line for food, entertainment, checking in, checking out, going on excursion, or simply, almost everything you want to do, is a mega-out. So is the unskilled voice of an animator, screaming instructions for a limbo competition just as you want to digest your mojitos.
Recently I have tried out trips on old sailing vessels or Tall Ships. The experience ranged from “absolutely fantastic” to “extremely disappointing”, depending on the operator. So I am busy sorting out the ones which actually use the sails and not just the rather loud diesel engine, treat tourists as people and not as an annoying fact on their ship and put fresh, regional food on the table. There are a number of “Maritime Pleasures” I still have to discover before I can write the final report and establish a profile for the products. I am looking forward to dive further into this different world and share my experiences.
NORTHLINK FERRIES
In 2001 John Horton of Northlink Ferries and Jurgen Scharkosi of Maritime Leisure signed a contract for the development of an operational concept with the character of a Cruise-Ferry. Following this, Northlink contracted Maritime Leisure for the onboard operation of all hotel services and the complete manning of the three vessels, including hotel, deck and engine.
Just before commencing trading, Northlink also contracted Maritime Leisure to commission the three newbuildings from the Aker ship yard in Finland, perform the trial runs and assure all required certifications.
When the designated tour operator ‘Viking Holidays’ ceased trading, also just before Northlink commenced operations, Jurgen Scharkosi purchased the Orkney and Shetland Touring Company for Maritime Leisure, a small excursion business based in Stromness, Orkney. This was built up to the marketing and sales arm for Northlink ad was also trading under the name of Northlink Holidays and Northlink Cruises. Short cruise packages were developed for tourists in Scotland which proved to be extremely popular.
SCOTLAND TOURING
There is no doubt that Scotland is one of the most individual, interesting, misterious and best known brands of tourism destinations. Bagpipes, Kilts, Single Malts, (spooky) Castles, Clans, Tartans, Steam Engines, Parades, Antiques, Highland Games… are just a few of the key words which attract tourists from all over the world to this rough-charming place in increasing numbers.
For tour operators it is not easy to compile a packages for the trendy vacationers of the 70-85% segment, meaning those who will spend for quality holidays with individual character and upper class accommodation, service, food and interesting activities, not necessarely in this order.
Scotland Touring is a ready developed concept for a Scottland Incoming contact, based on a cost effective networking system with small local touring agencies, nature sites, historical sites, tall ship sailing and thorugh research of unique activities. Regional concepts are connected to Ireland, Iceland, Greenland, Faroes and Scandinavia. Target groups are FIT’s and small groups (under 10 persons).
Contact jks@scharkosi.com for further details.
ORKNEY AND SHETLAND TOURING COMPANY
Orkney and Shetlands best developed incoming agency was bought by Maritime Leisure under Jurgen Scharkosi in 2001, when it had an annual revenue of about 100k GBP. In 2004, the company declared a revenue of 1,2m GBP and 8% EBIDTA.
In 2005 the company was sold, following the re-tender of Northlink.
TAKING PART
Taking part is what matters. Voice your opinion, ask questions and give answers. You can take part in this blog by
- posting a comment, which you can do with your name or through an alias.
- contributing a topic, in which case you would be asked to appear with your real name
All comments and contributions are welcome. It should also be clear to everyone that we are not all of the same opinion.
For more information contact me. j.scharkosi@gmail.com
SHETLAND INBOUND
Jurgen Scharkosi on Shetland Inbound
The cancellation of Atlantic Airway’s Shetland-Faroe route, Shetlands only air link to Scandinavia, and the announcement of Smyril Line to cease calling to Lerwick, Shetlands only sea link to Scandinavia, had the affect that the implementation of the company business plan was no longer feasible. As the initiator of Shetland Inbound I informed the Shetland Development Trust accordingly, who have committed to invest in excess of £ 170,000 into this project. Following this, it was mutually decided to shelf the project until travel access other than from and to the UK was secured.
Our visit at the Vest-Norden Travel Mart in Iceland made it clear that there were a good number of travel trade businesses who are very interested in promoting Shetland as a destination. They had two prerequisites in common:
- All were looking for an incoming agent to handle their domestic arrangements.
- Alternative travel access to the UK route, which presently marks Shetland as a dead end without connections to the region except to the Orkney Islands.
Shetland’s visitor profile consists of 80% domestic (UK) tourists, therefore an approach to alternative markets seems appropriate. The most logical markets to approach is Scandinavia, in particular Norway and Denmark. These countries are not only neighbours; they have a historic bond with Shetland, reaching back over 1000 years and have a disposal of funds which is above average compared to other tourism markets. Long distance markets such as Australia, New Zealand, Japan and similar are of equal interest. Mid range markets such as Canada, USA, Continental Europe and countries of the former Soviet Union have established presence in the region, tendency growing. Consequently, if Shetland intends to improve its GDP on tourism, travel access other than from and to UK has to be secured. In addition to this, it would be desirable that these routes are controlled by Shetland and not by a company form a different country.
This, however, is only step one. Step two would be to give visitors, travellers or tourists a good reason to come to Shetland. Mousa Broch or Jarlshof alone will not make the difference, therefore some major developments with a secure return of investment is required. Step three is to firmly establish a functional network with other destinations in the region.
I AM HERE ●
Jurgen Scharkosi has left the Northern Edge. At least for now.
Apparently there are a number of people who are interested in where I am and what I do, so I decided to take up some space here and keep everyone up to date J
This blog is about my work, my thoughts about Shetland, the people and the opportunities. It is also about decisions and changes, about strategies and, foremost, about life and making a living.
Read here about Shetland Inbound, the Orkney and Shetland Touring Company, Northlink and other business ventures.
Find out more about projects such as the Shetland Bus, the Viking Trail and property development in Shetland.
I continue to be a strong believer in the North-West Atlantic Region and that it will be a successful and profitable tourism destination. I intend to stay active, in particular with the efforts of Westlink. My interests remain unchanged, my scope has widened from Shetland to the entire area.
This is also the place to ask questions. So if you have any, please do.
Where I am?
Geographically - between Central Europe, Ukraine and Russia.
Business wise - I am working with river ships and incoming tourism.
Privately – well, unless you want to marry me I’m not telling…
I can always be reached by email at j.scharkosi@gmailcom
