The growing demand for easy-to-deploy guest experiences on large yachts is creating new opportunities for specialist watersports manufacturers, with Tiwal securing a place aboard the 220m Orient Express Corinthian. The inflatable sailboat manufacturer says the yachting sector now accounts for nearly 20 per cent of its annual revenue, underlining the increasing role of guest activity equipment within the luxury hospitality market.
Tiwal has announced that a fleet of four inflatable sailing dinghies will be available to guests aboard the Orient Express Corinthian, which was built by Chantiers de l’Atlantique and is operated by Accor. It has begun its inaugural Mediterranean season and is scheduled to continue into the Adriatic before crossing the Atlantic in the autumn for a winter season in the Caribbean.
The agreement reflects a broader trend within both the yacht and luxury hospitality sectors, where operators are seeking activities that can be deployed quickly while requiring limited storage space and logistics, says Tiwal.
Inflatable sailboats added to guest experience offering
Launched in Saint-Nazaire in April, the 220m vessel is described as the world’s largest sailing yacht. The Tiwal boats will be used during stopovers, allowing guests to sail independently and explore anchorages.
“Seeing our sailboats on board the world’s largest sailing yacht is a tremendous source of pride for the entire Tiwal team,” says Emmanuel Bertrand, president and co-founder of the inflatable company.
“This collaboration perfectly illustrates our ambition: to make sailing accessible everywhere, from the most remote beaches to the world’s most prestigious vessels.”
Founded by industrial designer Marion Excoffon, Tiwal designs and manufactures inflatable sailing dinghies that can be assembled in around 20 minutes and transported in a small car or aboard a cruising yacht.
The company has built an international customer base, with more than 3,400 boats sailing in around 55 countries. According to Tiwal, about 80 per cent of its sales are exports.
Its boats are used in locations ranging from Lake Titicaca in Peru and San Francisco Bay, to New Zealand, the Comoros, Namibia, Hong Kong and destinations across Europe.
Tiwal’s products have also received recognition in several international design and boating awards. More information can be found on the company’s website.
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