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Malta Business Review<br />
CASE STUDY<br />
THE HIGH LIFE ON THE HIGH SEAS<br />
Head down to the tranquil Birgu marina on any summer morning and you’re likely to see one of Azure<br />
Ultra’s impressive Sunseeker yachts setting out to sail the Maltese archipelago’s sapphire seas. On board, the<br />
voyagers are about to spend the day basking in all the refined bells and whistles only this charter company can<br />
provide. Personal steward service. A gourmet food selection. Chilled champagne. To paraphrase Azure Ultra’s<br />
own adage, this is a luxury private cruise that goes beyond the ordinary.<br />
It’s high season in the sultry Mediterranean<br />
and Azure Ultra is currently enjoying its busiest<br />
few months yet. Founder and Managing<br />
Director Perry Newton, a former artilleryman<br />
from the 29th Commando Regiment Royal<br />
Artillery in Her Royal Majesty’s Armed Forces,<br />
established the charter company in 2015.<br />
From the very start, the Azure Ultra vision was<br />
to offer unforgettable nautical experiences<br />
combined with top-class service. And the<br />
dream has certainly become a reality. In<br />
a few short years, the brand has become<br />
internationally renowned for its bespoke<br />
luxury yacht experiences throughout the<br />
central Mediterranean region. Over the last<br />
year alone, the company reported a 200%<br />
increase in business. They also welcomed a<br />
fully-accredited yacht captain to the crew as<br />
well as another Sunseeker to its fleet.<br />
So what can people expect from a typical<br />
Azure Ultra experience?<br />
“As each charter experience is specifically<br />
tailored to meet our clients’ wishes, no day<br />
out at sea with us is ever truly the same,”<br />
Newton explains. “Visitors to these shores<br />
may wish to explore the archipelago’s glorious<br />
variety of coastal locations. Our charters give<br />
them the opportunity to discover Malta in<br />
a unique, immersive and elegant fashion.<br />
They can sail from charming fishing villages<br />
to popular beaches or spend an afternoon<br />
cruising around the impressive Grand<br />
Harbour coastline with all its historic sites.<br />
Each port of call is the client’s choice.”<br />
“Our locally based clientele, on the other<br />
hand, usually looks for something entirely<br />
different,” Newton continues. “We can<br />
provide them with a stylish escape from<br />
the bustling island. Our exceptional crew<br />
takes care of their every need, allowing<br />
them to spend quality, stress-free time with<br />
friends and family in secluded spots. They<br />
can unwind on deck, swim and sunbathe,<br />
or use the onboard water sport gear to go<br />
snorkelling or glass-bottom canoeing in<br />
stunning locations.”<br />
It’s immediately apparent that there is no set<br />
programme or one-size-fits-all mentality with<br />
Azure Ultra.<br />
“That’s absolutely correct,” Newton asserts.<br />
“We certainly are adaptable. However,<br />
the one thing that never changes is our<br />
commitment to excellence in every aspect of<br />
our chartering services.”<br />
Newton has good reason to highlight Azure<br />
Ultra’s services. The chartering company has<br />
recently scooped up a handful of prestigious<br />
industry prizes. In 2017 they were the<br />
recipients of two Malta International Boats<br />
& Yachting awards, where they topped tough<br />
competition in the Best Customer Service<br />
of the Year and Best Maltese Based Charter<br />
Company of the Year categories. Earlier this<br />
year, Azure Ultra was also awarded Winner<br />
of Unique Tour Company of the Year at the<br />
Travel & Hospitality Awards.<br />
“We’re all extremely proud of the industry<br />
recognition we have garnered. We worked<br />
extremely hard to achieve these results,”<br />
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